Costelow returns to Welsh team

London – Flyhalf Sam Costelow has been recalled to the Wales starting line-up for Saturday’s Six Nations clash against Grand-Slam chasing Ireland in Dublin.

The Scarlets No 10 started in the opening match, a 27-26 defeat against Scotland, but was forced off in the first half with a neck injury.

He was replaced by Ioan Lloyd, who started at flyhalf in the 16-14 Twickenham loss against England, but Costelow now returns as a solitary starting change from that game.

There are further starts for squad newcomers Cameron Winnett and Alex Mann, while centre George North wins his 120th cap – only the third Wales player to reach that mark after former captains Alun Wyn Jones and Gethin Jenkins.

Uncapped Cardiff back-row forward Mackenzie Martin features on the replacements’ bench.

The 20-year-old is in his first full season of professional rugby and has made just nine Cardiff appearances.

Lloyd drops to the bench and Harlequins prop Dillon Lewis is also among the replacements in further changes from the match at Twickenham.

Wales, who have not won a Six Nations encounter in Dublin since 2012, face a tough task against opponents fresh from posting bonus-point victories over France and Italy in pursuit of back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slam titles.

“We are excited to go out to Dublin and test ourselves against one of the leading sides in world rugby,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland. “It’s a challenge we are relishing.

“We’ve made steps in the last couple of games and now it’s about building on that, learning from those experiences and taking that into this weekend.

“It’s about continuing to work hard, looking for accuracy in our performance across 80 minutes and also keeping our discipline.”