Warren Gatland hopes to claim a triple crown as Wales coach at Croke Park on Saturday against the man who controversially replaced him as Ireland coach seven years ago.

Gatland was surprisingly dismissed in 2001 with Eddie O'Sullivan, his ambitious assistant, replacing him. The pair had never seen eye to eye.

However, the Wales coach was keen to play down the issue before the former colleagues face one another for the first time.

"This weekend is not about me," New Zealander Gatland said this week.

"That (the sacking) is all out of my system now. We go there as underdogs. Ireland are a fantastic side and we have an opportunity to measure ourselves and find out where we are.

"We are in a great position going for a triple crown, it would be nice, but the most important thing to us is the championship."

Three wins from three leaves Wales not only on course for a Triple Crown and the championship but also a grand slam.

O'Sullivan is fully aware of the new-found belief Gatland has instilled in his team.

"The last time we saw Wales playing with this buzz and confidence was in 2005 when they won the Grand Slam," the coach, who oversaw a 32-20 defeat in Cardiff that year, added.

That defeat is Ireland's only loss against this weekend's opponents in eight years and their chances of improving that record are boosted by the return of second row Paul O'Connell, starting at the expense of Munster colleague Mick O'Driscoll.

O'Connell, who came on as a replacement in the 34-13 win over Scotland a fortnight ago after four months out with a back problem, will be expected to improve a faltering lineout alongside the returning Ulster hooker Rory Best.

Leinster wing Rob Kearney will start at his favoured position of fullback for the first time after Geordan Murphy (hip) and Girvan Dempsey (Achilles) were ruled out.

Lineout issues aside, the Irish have improved in each match with pivotal fly-half Ronan O'Gara (pictured) returning to form.

"In Ronan O'Gara they have someone who can direct the game and really hurt opponents," Gatland said. "We will be showing Ronan and his side the utmost respect."

Gatland has again rotated his squad, making four changes from the side who beat Italy 47-8 last time out.

Hooker Huw Bennett and prop Adam Jones return to the front row while Alun Wyn-Jones has recovered from a hip injury to take his place at lock.

Llanelli Scarlets fly-half Stephen Jones retains his place ahead of James Hook with Mike Phillips replacing Dwayne Peel at scrum-half, hoping to release enough ball to give winger Shane Williams the opportunity to score the one try he needs to equal

Gareth Thomas's record of 40 tries for Wales.

Teams:

Ireland - 15-Rob Kearney, 14-Shane Horgan, 13-Brian O'Driscoll (capt), 12-Andrew Trimble, 11-Tommy Bowe, 10-Ronan O'Gara, 9-Eoin Reddan, 8-Jamie Heaslip, 7-David Wallace, 6-Denis Leamy, 5-Paul O'Connell, 4-Donncha O'Callaghan, 3-John Hayes, 2-Rory Best, 1-Marcus Horan.

Replacements: 16-Bernard Jackman, 17-Tony Buckley, 18-Mick O'Driscoll, 19-Simon Easterby, 20-Peter Stringer, 21-Paddy Wallace, 22-Luke Fitzgerald.

Wales - 15-Lee Byrne, 14-Mark Jones, 13-Tom Shanklin, 12-Gavin Henson, 11-Shane Williams, 10-Stephen Jones, 9-Mike Phillips, 8-Ryan Jones (capt), 7-Martyn Williams, 6-Jonathan Thomas, 5-Alun-Wyn Jones, 4-Ian Gough, 3-Adam Jones, 2-Huw Bennett, 1-Gethin Jenkins.

Replacements: 16-Matthew Rees, 17-Duncan Jones, 18-Ian Evans, 19-Gareth Delve, 20-Dwayne Peel, 21-James Hook, 22-Sonny Parker.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Reuters