New half-back pairing as Ireland ring the changes for Welsh clash

The Ireland team shows five changes from that which lost 22-6 to New Zealand for today's clash with Wales (7.30 p.m. Irish time). Injury has deprived coach Brian McLaughlin of his first choice half backs, with Kieron Campbell back in London and Jeremy Staunton not considered because of a leg injury.

Old Belvedere's Simon Keogh comes in for his first start at scrum-half while St Mary's College out-half Mark McHugh receives a deserved opportunity in the number 10 jersey. Shane Horgan has served his one-match ban and returns to partner David Quinlan in the centre. The Lansdowne player was sorely missed in the New Zealand game.

The initial prognosis on Quinlan's damaged knee was ligament damage, but the injury has turned out to be less severe. While there is some bruising the Blackrock centre is optimistic that he will play following a training session yesterday. If there is any reaction this morning then Kevin Hartigan will deputise.

Jonathan Davis returns on the right wing in place of Andrew Dunne. There is only one alteration in the pack, with Cambridge University student Michael Haslett preferred to Andrew Hughes at openside flanker. Second row Mick O'Driscoll is nursing an injury, but the management is confident that he will be available.

UCD's six foot, seven inch Aidan Kearney is the obvious replacement should O'Driscoll encounter further problems. Quinlan, Tom Keating, Stephen Baretto, Simon Best, Mick O'Driscoll and captain Leo Cullen will have started all four matches to date.

Wales was the only side to defeat Ireland in the Six Nations Championship and that, therefore, offers added motivation for the Irish today. The Welsh have yet to win a match in the tournament, losing to Australia, South Africa and England. Against Australia they offered a glimpse of their ability, leading 14-3 at the interval only to crumble in the second half.

Ireland's game-plan is simple; to try and dominate their opponents up front and use the power and penetration that Horgan and Quinlan offer in the centre. If they can establish a solid platform up front, full back Bryn Cunningham will be a central attacking gambit.

The match offers an excellent opportunity to confirm the potential of fringe players, in particular scrum-half Keogh. In his limited exposure to the action he has demonstrated good footballing ability.

Ireland's senior coach Warren Gatland conceded that he was impressed with the discipline, character and ability of the players after the New Zealand game. Should Ireland win today then they will face the winners of the England-Argentina match (likely to be England) on Saturday to dispute fifth and sixth place.

At the business end of affairs in the tournament, France face South Africa in one semi-final, while defending champions Australia must try and halt the New Zealand machine in the other. The event has enjoyed a high profile in Argentina with six games shown live on television, including two of Ireland's outings.

Saturday will be something of a gala occasion, with all four matches taking place at the one venue on the same pitch and with a formal dinner to follow.

Ireland: B Cunningham (Bective Rangers); J Davis (Dungannon), S Horgan (Lansdowne), D Quinlan (Blackrock College), T Keating (Blackrock College); M McHugh (St Mary's College), S Keogh (Old Belvedere); S Baretto (Terenure College), A Flavin (London Irish), S Best (Newcastle); M O'Driscoll (UCC), R Casey (Blackrock College); D O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution), L Cullen (Blackrock College, capt), M Haslett (Cambridge University).