Horgan replaces Maggs on the wing

If the unprecedented congestion in the Greystones RFC car-park wasn't an accurate weather vane for Ireland's current standing then the relaxed air back in the squad's base at the Glenview Hotel certainly was. Ireland are on a roll and, for the moment at any rate, these are the good times.

In truth, with John Hayes passed fit, there wasn't much in the way of earth-shattering news to report from the camp, other than the return of Shane Horgan on the wing, with Kevin Maggs dropping down to the bench at the expense of an unlucky Mike Mullins.

It's ironic how the supposed dearth of midfield options has been replaced by an embarrassment of riches, even though Brian O'Driscoll apart, the midfield personnel are largely the same.

Explaining Horgan's re-selection, Ireland manager Donal Lenihan said: "We just felt that Shane's youthful exuberance which he showed in the two matches he played and his work-rate off the ball was exceptional so he deserved the nod. Maggsy didn't get as much ball as Denis Hickie but was very solid and can cover a number of positions so that's why he's on the bench."

On a sun-kissed spring day there was a palpable air of serenity within the Irish camp, best exemplified by Lenihan good-humouredly holding court at the top table.

Asked about the £1 million bonus on offer to anyone who scores four tries on Saturday, Lenihan commented: "We'll definitely play Brian O'Driscoll so."

Victory over Wales would earn Ireland the championship runnersup spot and their highest standing in 15 years.

The change in mood can be attributed to the change in performance. "The bottom line is confidence," said coach Warren Gatland, citing the unlucky defeats that got away in the past. "Now we're playing with confidence and able to absorb a bit of pressure.

"I think it was highlighted particularly in Paris," added the coach. "If we had gone into that game having lost the two previous games then the confidence and the silly mistakes when you're down and under a bit of pressure tend to happen. We kept our composure, we had that self-belief that we could continue to play and I'm sure it was purely down to the confidence of the players on the field."

Such is the turnaround in Ireland's fortunes that complacency would seem their biggest mental hurdle, though Lenihan was fairly adamant that there were no signs of it. "Not at all. It was something we were conscious of coming in but the lads were just very keen to get together again. The French game was very special but I think if anything they're thrilled that we have another opportunity of playing again at Lansdowne Road. In fairness to them, they've kept their feet on the ground and hopefully that will come through on Saturday."

The poser at 10 reared its head again, but not to the same degree as before. "It was an area that we discussed," admitted Lenihan. Reading between the lines, David Humphreys' maturity and possibly greater impact off the bench is contributing to him staying there. "He's a very experienced player and sitting in the stand tactically he's very astute and I've no doubt down the road he'd make a fine backs coach. He reads the game very well and for him coming on to the field he knows where the opposition weaknesses are."

Saturday marks the end of Lenihan's tenure as manager. "I didn't think about it too much until Tuesday when we came in and the players and the management made a nice presentation which I suppose brought the thing home. It's been a very enjoyable two years apart from the odd hiccups and I just hope that we can finish it off on Saturday but it's been hugely enjoyable."

Wales too have made one change from the side which beat Scotland 26-18 last time out. Rhys Williams, the 20-year-old full-back who was a star of Wales' Under-19 World Cup team a year ago, has been picked for his debut in place of the injured Matt Cardey.

Scott Gibbs remains on standby for Mark Taylor, who is rated a 75 per cent chance of recovering from a dead leg. World record points scorer Neil Jenkins, injured for the Scottish game, only makes the bench along with Emyr Lewis, who replace Alix Popham and Jason Strange respectively.

Meanwhile, Declan Kidney, like most of his predecessors as Irish A coach, must feel he's playing against a loaded deck. His hand has been reshuffled for him once more, with a total of eight changes from the team which lost in France a fortnight ago.

John Kelly returns from injury at the expense of Jan Cunningham (recently returned from Hong Kong) and Mike Mullins drops down the ladder in a new midfield, and the Irish management are looking at a new half-back combination in Brian O'Meara and Emmet Farrell, with Killian Keane, Eric Elwood and Tom Tierney all dropping down to the bench.

Up front Allen Clarke replaces the injured Shane Byrne with Paddy Johns changing places with the promoted Jeremy Davidson and in the process taking over the captaincy from Byrne. Trevor Brennan was to have played on the blind side ahead of Alan Quinlan, but in the event took ill yesterday and so Eric Miller plays there, with Dion O'Cuinneagain returning from injury in place of Tony McWhirter, who moves to the bench.

Glen Ross, the director of coaching with Connacht for the past two seasons, yesterday announced that he will be leaving the post following agreement with the IRFU. Ross has cited personal reasons for his departure and he will be returning to his native New Zealand.