Tomas O'Leary returns to the Ireland starting line-up to face Wales

Tomas O'Leary has won a surprise recall to the Ireland line-up as Declan Kidney makes three changes for Saturday's Six Nations decider against Wales.

O'Leary returns at scrum-half in place of Peter Stringer, who was Ireland's man of the match against Scotland.

Also returning are Jamie Heaslip and Jerry Flannery, who start in place of Denis Leamy and Rory Best.

Ireland will clinch the Grand Slam if they win but a defeat by 13 points or more would see Wales snatch the title.

The main talking point of coach Kidney's team selection will be the return of O'Leary ahead of his Munster colleague Stringer.

Stringer, who won his 88th cap last week, was responsible for setting up the only try of the game for number eight Heaslip and his overall distribution was critical in Ireland's victory.

However, despite Ireland's need to drag the Welsh pack around the park with quick service from rucks, Kidney has gone for the more rounded skills of O'Leary.

O'Leary, who took over from Stringer after a poor World Cup campaign, has strength on his side and has the knack of keeping back-rows honest.

Hooker Best can also be described as unlucky following a five-star showing up front against the Scots, where his scrummaging and rugged play in the loose caught the eye.

Heaslip was always going to return at number eight after replacing Leamy midway through the first half when the Munsterman took a stinger on his shoulder.

Leamy, however, still remains doubtful. He has not trained this week to date and the management will give him more time to fully recover.

D'Arcy gets the nod ahead of Wallace, mainly because of his defensive attributes, although it is rough on the Ulsterman, who has done nothing wrong so far in the Championship.

D'Arcy, however, looked comfortable again beside his midfield partner Brian O'Driscoll and they should form a useful defensive barrier against the big Welsh centres.

Unbeaten Ireland are looking to secure their first Grand Slam for 61 years, while the Triple Crown and the Six Nations Championship title are also at stake.

Ireland will take all three honours if they win, while Wales need to beat Ireland by 13 points or more to secure the Championship and the Triple Crown.

Ireland: R Kearney; T Bowe, B O'Driscoll, capt, G D'Arcy, L Fitzgerald; R O'Gara, T O'Leary; M Horan, J Flannery, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, S Ferris, D Wallace, J Heaslip.
Replacements: R Best, T Court, M O'Driscoll, D Leamy, P Stringer, P Wallace, G Murphy.

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