Ireland v Wales
Warburton back as captain for Ireland clash
ESPN Staff
February 4, 2014
Sam Warburton on his return as a second-half substitute, Wales v Italy, Six Nations, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, February 1, 2014
Sam Warburton on his return as a second-half substitute at the weekend © PA Photos
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Sam Warburton will return to lead Wales against Ireland in Saturday's Six Nations match in Dublin.

Warburton comes back at open-side with Ospreys' Justin Tipuric dropping to the bench. Prop Gethin Jenkins takes over at loose-head, with Andrew Coombs taking over from the injured Luke Charteris in the second row. Bath prop Paul James drops to the bench.

Warburton received a rousing welcome when he appeared as a second-half substitute against Italy at the weekend.

"It's great to bring Sam and Gethin back into the side and it's a good opportunity for Andrew Coombs to start as well," coach Warren Gatland said. "Last weekend was a good hit-out for a lot of reasons, but we still have things to work on and we know how important this game is.

"We haven't lost an away match in the Six Nations since 2011 and we have to have the belief and confidence that we can do it again this weekend. "It's going to be tough, both sides won their opening game, we will have to be physical and take it to them.

"We feel in most tournaments we get stronger as it goes on and that will need to be the case this weekend."

Wales squad
Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton Saints), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, captain), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), James Hook (Perpignan), Liam Williams (Scarlets)

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