Gatland rings changes for decider

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has made eight changes for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations title decider against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.

Gatland restores many of his tried and tested warriors - including prop Gethin Jenkins, lock Ian Gough and flanker Martyn Williams - after a fumbling Italian job in Rome on Saturday.

There is also a start for centre Tom Shanklin, who is reunited with his 2005 and 2008 Grand Slam midfield colleague Gavin Henson.

Shanklin scored Wales' winning try eight minutes from time at Stadio Flaminio and is preferred to Cardiff Blues colleague Jamie Roberts.

Roberts drops to the bench, as does James Hook, who is replaced at fly-half by the more experienced Stephen Jones.

Most of Gatland's attention, though, has been devoted to the pack, where only lock Alun-Wyn Jones and number eight Andy Powell remain from Rome.

He recalls an established front row of Jenkins, Matthew Rees and Adam Jones, with Gough replacing Luke Charteris, Williams taking over from Dafydd Jones and Ryan Jones in for Jonathan Thomas.

Ryan Jones, last season's Grand Slam skipper, reclaims captaincy duties from Alun-Wyn Jones, who led Wales for the first time in their 20-15 victory over Italy.

Six Rome starters are on the bench - Roberts, Hook, Charteris, Dafydd Jones, hooker Huw Bennett and prop John Yapp.

London Irish scrum-half Warren Fury, meanwhile, will once again provide cover for Mike Phillips, with Gareth Cooper and Martin Roberts both injured.