Martyn Williams will skipper Wales in the RBS Six Nations against Ireland in place of the injured Colin Charvis. That is despite the Cardiff Blues flanker having declined the captain's armband before the World Cup.
"I made it quite clear when I did turn it down it was for personal reasons at that time," said the Blues flanker. "It wasn't best for me or the team.
"But with Colin being injured (Wales coach) Steve Hansen has asked me to fill in and I'm more than glad to."
Williams was limited to a spot among the replacements during the World Cup as the emergence of Ospreys youngster Jon Thomas kept him out.
But the 28-year-old bounced back to reclaim a starting berth at openside in the first-round win against Scotland last week, fully justifying his selection with a fine performance.
"The loose game against Scotland suited my style particularly and long may it continue," Williams added.
"But you can't play like that all the time and you've got to play different teams with different game plans - we're fully aware that Ireland will be a different proposition."
Thomas replaces Charvis at blindside for the Lansdowne Road showdown, with Dafydd Jones completing a competitive and mobile back-row trio.
But Williams is under no illusions the battle-hardened Irish in Dublin will present a tougher test than the inexperienced Scotland side that rolled into Cardiff.
"If you look through the Irish side there's a lot more experience than the Scottish side," Williams said.
"Against France in Paris they pushed them all the way and Brian O'Driscoll is back in, which is obviously going to strengthen them."
But Williams knows his personal battle will not be with the Lions centre but with the Ireland pack to claim enough possession to supply Wales' exciting backline.
"Irish packs are reknowned throughout the world, especially at home," Williams added.
"We're not the biggest side in the world and we're not going to be able to put the ball up our jumpers all afternoon.
"But we can't go out and play sevens all afternoon either, you've got to get the right balance and that will be the key on Sunday."
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).
MMIX
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