Warburton back to lead Wales against Ireland in Six Nations

Regular captain Sam Warburton will return to Wales's starting XV for the champions Six Nations international against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday. The back-row forward, who began his comeback from a shoulder injury by coming off the bench against Italy in Wales's opening 23-15 victory over Italy at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium last weekend, replaced Justin Tipuric at openside flanker in the team announced by coach Warren Gatland on Tuesday. The New Zealander made three changes in all to the side that took the field against the Azzurri, with second row Andrew Coombs replacing Luke Charteris, sidelined because of a hamstring injury, and 101-times capped prop Gethin Jenkins in for Paul James. Warburton has regained the captaincy from Alun Wyn Jones, the lock who deputised as captain for the injured loose forward in the British and Irish Lions' decisive third Test victory against Australia in Sydney last year. Ireland 28-6 winners over Scotland in Dublin last weekend, are due to name their side on Thursday. In last season's corresponding fixture, the Irish beat Wales 30-22 on the opening weekend in Cardiff, although the Welsh recovered to take the title. Wales are now bidding to become the first side in the history of the Six Nations' various guises to win three successive outright championships. Wales team announced Tuesday to play Ireland in a Six Nations international at Dublin's Lansdowne Road on Saturday (1430GMT kick-off): Wales (15-1) Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, George North; Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips; Taulupe Faletau, Sam Warburton (capt), Dan Lydiate; Alun Wyn Jones, Andrew Coombs; Adam Jones, Richard Hibbard, Gethin Jenkins Replacements: Ken Owens, Paul James, Rhodri Jones, Jake Ball, Justin Tipuric, Rhys Webb, James Hook, Liam Williams Source: AFP