Ireland make five changes against Wales side looking for first win in Dublin since 2012
KEY MAN: Jack Crowley at training this week. Picture: INPHO/Ben Brady
Ireland have made five changes from the side that beat England for Friday's Six Nations clash in Dublin, which kicks off at 8.10pm.
Wales will be seeking to end a 14-match losing streak in the Six Nations and haven't won away to Ireland in the Six Nations since 2012. The hosts' target is a Triple Crown with Scotland at the Aviva for the last game, though they're still in contention for the
On the wing, Jacob Stockdale - who started against France but missed the games against Italy and England - replaces the injured James Lowe while the rest of the backline remains intact.
At loosehead, Tom O'Toole takes the places of Jeremy Loughman. The Munster prop had started Ireland's opening three games but is unavailable due to a calf injury. Also in the front row, Ronan Kelleher gets the nod at hooker with Dan Sheahan dropping out.
Tadhg Beirne moves from the backrow to the second row with Joe McCarthy missing out. Jack Conan, who missed the win over England due to illness, will start at blindside flaker while Nick Timoney will be at openside instead of Josh van der Flier.
Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak has been named on the bench and is set to win his first Ireland cap. Also at scrum-half, Jamison Gibson-Park will win his 50th Ireland cap on Friday with Innishannon's Jack Crowley in the key out-half berth.
J Osborne; R Baloucoune, G Ringrose, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; J Crowley, J Gibson-Park; T O’Toole, R Kelleher, T Furlong; J Ryan, T Beirne; J Conan, N Timoney, C Doris (c).
Tom Stewart, Michael Milne, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, Josh van der Flier, Nathan Doak, Tom Farrell, Ciaran Frawley
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