O'Connell and Best return

Ireland v Wales team news: Eddie O'Sullivan will afford Geordan Murphy and Girvan Dempsey more recovery time ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash with Wales, leaving a vacancy at fullback when naming his side this afternoon.

With Murphy (hamstring) and Dempsey (hip) both nursing injuries, the Ireland coach has elected to keep his options open. Murphy has been unable to train this week while Dempsey, who missed the win over Scotland, has played only a limited part since the squad reassembled at the weekend.

Should O'Sullivan's two first choice number 15s not prove their fitness, it would appear likely that Rob Kearney will move from the left wing. In that scenario, Tommy Bowe would switch wings with Shane Horgan coming into the side on the opposite flank.

O'Sullivan has made two changes to his pack, bringing back Paul O'Connell and Rory Best to his starting line-up. O'Connell replaces Munster teammate Mick O'Driscoll in the second row while Best comes in for hooker Bernard Jackman,  the Leinster man paying the price for Ireland's misfiring lineout.

O'Sullivan said: "Girvan and Geordan are both struggling at the moment. They are nip and tuck in terms of fitness and will be given until Thursday before we decide if they are ready.

"Geordan didn't train today. He started the game at the weekend for Leicester but had to come off. Girvan took part in training today. He did run but he's not there yet. Both are a doubt."

Wales coach Warren Gatland also revealed his hand today, keeping Stephen Jones at outhalf as his side chase a Triple Crown at Croke Park.

Mike Phillips has been preferred to Dwayne Peel at scrum-half as one of four changes made by Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

The other three all come in the pack, with Alun-Wyn Jones restored to the second row in place of Ian Evans after recovering from an ankle injury suffered in the win over England.

Gatland said: "A number of players have had a run-out for us in the first three games of the championship and selection in most areas could be put down to the toss of a coin, which is testament to the effort the guys have put in.

"We've had to make a judgement call at scrum-half, in the front row and in the second row, but it really is a close call for us in each of those positions as well as elsewhere in the team."

Gatland has already identified Ronan O'Gara as Ireland's chief threat and he will look at Jones to wrest control away from the Munsterman.

"In Ronan O'Gara they have someone who can direct the game and really hurt opponents. If we don't keep a tight rein on him it could be a long day for us. We will be showing Ronan and his side the utmost respect," said Gatland.

Ireland: AN Other; T Bowe (Ulster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, captain), A Trimble (Ulster), R Kearney (Leinster); R O'Gara (Munster), E Reddan (Wasps); M Horan (Munster), R Best (Ulster), J Hayes (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), D Leamy (Munster), D Wallace (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster). Replacements: B Jackman (Leinster), T Buckley (Munster), M O'Driscoll (Munster), S Easterby (Llanelli), P Stringer (Munster), P Wallace (Ulster), S Horgan (Leinster).

Wales: L Byrne (Ospreys); M Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), G Henson (Ospreys), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), M Phillips (Ospreys); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), H Bennett (Ospreys), A Jones (Ospreys), I Gough (Ospreys), AW Jones (Ospreys), J Thomas (Ospreys), M Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Jones (Ospreys, capt). Replacements: M Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), D Jones (Ospreys), I Evans (Ospreys), G Delve (Gloucester), D Peel (Llanelli Scarlets), J Hook (Ospreys), S Parker (Ospreys).