Colin Charvis is replaced by Jon Thomas in the back row

The Tarbes player dislocated his finger in last week's win over Scotland and is replaced in the back row by Ospreys flanker Jon Thomas.

But hooker Robin McBryde and lock Robert Sidoli return after missing the Scotland clash.

More good news is that Stephen Jones and Sonny Parker passed fitness tests and start in an unchanged back line.

In the absence of Charvis, fellow back row Martyn Williams will lead the side out at Lansdowne Road, with Alix Popham providing bench cover.

"It's disappointing to lose Colin, who has been playing good Test rugby as well as growing into a strong leader," Wales coach Steve Hansen said.

"We have taken the decision which allows Colin's injury to be rectified once and for all, making him available for the rest of the tournament.

Many people will be surprised by Duncan Jones' omission Wales coach Steve Hansen

"We are very lucky that we have able replacements in Jonathan Thomas and Alix Popham from a playing point of view, and Martyn Williams from a leadership perspective."

Mefin Davies drops to the bench to make way for McBryde, while Gareth Llewellyn loses out completely after Sidoli's return.

The only other change sees Iestyn Thomas reinstated at loose-head prop.

Duncan Jones is the unlucky player to make way, not even making the replacements because Gethin Jenkins provides cover for both loose and tight head positions.

Jones played all 80 minutes against the Scots but will be on Celtic League duty with the Ospreys on Friday night against the Dragons.

"Many people will be surprised by Duncan's omission but we can assure you it is not a form issue, it's for tactical reasons," Hansen added.

Martyn Williams takes over the captain's armband from Charvis

"Duncan is fully aware of this and understands completely the reasoning behind it."

Thomas' extra scrummaging power earns him Hansen's vote, who believes that the Scarlets prop will have the upper hand over Ireland's John Hayes at the set piece.

It is a policy of 'horses for courses' at Lansdowne Road, as Thomas was the man to miss out completely against Scotland in favour of the more mobile Jones.

Ireland lost 35-17 away to France last weekend, but have talismanic skipper Brian O'Driscoll fit again to resume at centre.

He will partner Gordon D'Arcy in the Irish midfield after Bath powerhouse Kevin Maggs was surprisingly demoted to the bench.

The only other change in the Ireland starting line-up from the defeat in Paris sees Donnacha O'Callaghan replacing Malcolm O'Kelly at lock.

Ireland: G Dempsey (Leinster); S Horgan (Leinster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, capt), T Howe (Ulster); R O'Gara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster); R Corrigan (Leinster), S Byrne (Leinster), J Hayes (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Leinster), S Easterby (Llanelli), K Gleeson (Leinster), A Foley (Munster).
Replacements: F Sheahan (Munster), S Best (Ulster), M O'Kelly (Leinster), V Costello (Leinster), D Humphreys (Ulster), G Easterby (Rotherham), K Maggs (Bath).

Wales: G Thomas (Warriors); R Williams (Blues), S Parker (Warriors), I Harris (Blues), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Scarlets), G Cooper (Warriors); I Thomas (Scarlets), R McBryde (Scarlets), A Jones (Ospreys), B Cockbain (Warriors), R Sidoli (Warriors), J Thomas (Ospreys), M Williams (Blues, capt), D Jones (Scarlets).
Replacements: M Davies (Warriors), G Jenkins (Warriors), M Owen (Dragons), A Popham (Leeds Tykes), D Peel (Scarlets), C Sweeney (Warriors), T Shanklin (Blues).

Referee: Joel Jutge (France).