WELSH coach Warren Gatland has made four changes to his team as he attempts to cement the Triple Crown at Croke Park on Sunday – and the former Ireland boss has identified Ronan O’Gara as the big threat to his Grand Slam hopes.

Gatland has retained Stephen Jones at out-half to go head to head with O’Gara with Mike Phillips preferred to Dwayne Peel at scrum-half in one of four changes.

The other three all come in the pack, with Alun-Wyn Jones restored to the second row while Huw Bennett returns at hooker and prop Adam Jones regains the tight-head role from Rhys Thomas.

The experienced Jones will be given strict instructions to win his duel with O’Gara as Wales bid to maintain the championship’s only 100% record.

“In Ronan O’Gara Ireland have someone who can direct the game and really hurt opponents,” added Gatland. “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.

“We go there as underdogs. Ireland are a fantastic side, they’ve been a top-five team in world rugby for a number of years. They have lost only one game themselves, in the dying minutes against France, and Croke Park will be an intimidating place but we must not be daunted by the task at hand.

“We are in a great position going for the Triple Crown. It would be nice, but the most important thing to us is the championship.”

The Wales team to play Ireland is: 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), A.W. 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).