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Sam Costelow returns as Warren Gatland makes one change to Wales team to face Ireland

Sam Costelow missed the defeat to England with a neck injury
Sam Costelow missed the defeat to England with a neck injury

Out-half Sam Costelow will return for Wales in Saturday's Guinness Six Nations meeting with Ireland in Dublin (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player), with head coach Warren Gatland opting to name his team early.

The Wales boss has shown his hand ahead of the trip to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, with just one change from the side that were beaten by England 16-14 at Twickenham.

Costelow has recovered from a neck injury which ruled him out of the Round 2 clash with England, and comes into the starting side to replace Ioan Lloyd.

It's an otherwise settled line-up from the Welsh, who have lost their opening two games by a combined three points.

Gareth Thomas, Elliot Dee and Keiron Assiratti continue in the front row after being drafted in for the game against England. In the second row, captain Dafydd Jenkins partners Adam Beard for the third game in a row.

Wales haven't beaten Ireland in Dublin since a World Cup warm-up in 2015

Alex Mann retains his place at flanker after starting against England, with Tommy Reffell and Aaron Wainwright completing the pack.

With Costelow starting at out-half, the rest of the backline is unchanged. Tomos Williams partners him in the half-backs, with the experienced pair of Nick Tompkins and George North in the centre.

Rio Dyer and Josh Adams start on the wings, while Cameron Winnett is at full-back after impressing in his first two appearances.

With Lloyd dropping back to the bench at the expense of Cai Evans, there are two other changes to the replacements, with Dillon Lewis replacing Archie Griffin and 20-year-old back row Mackenzie Martin set for his debut.


Wales: Cameron Winnett; Josh Adams, George North, Nick Tompkins, Rio Dyer; Sam Costelow, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Elliot Dee, Keiron Assiratti; Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard; Alex Mann, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Corey Domachowski, Dillon Lewis, Will Rowlands, Mackenzie Martin, Kieran Hardy, Ioan Llyod, Mason Grady.

Watch Ireland v Wales in the Guinness Six Nations on Saturday from 1.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1

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