Roberts delighted at return

Roberts, speaking after both he and fly-half Rhys Priestland were declared fit to start the Six Nations opener at the Aviva Stadium , said his chances of making the clash had been 'touch and go'.

The Cardiff Blues star and Scarlets stand-off Priestland have played limited roles during Wales' preparations due to knee injuries.

Roberts has not featured competitively since Christmas, while Priestland was hampered during a Heineken Cup game two weeks ago

"It was touch and go," said Roberts. "I haven't played any competitive rugby since late December, but I went to Poland last week and had some good conditioning and recovery work.

Survivors

"I started running at the end of the week and I have done some full contact work this week.

"I am just delighted to be part of such a huge match. I am sure I will be blowing a bit in the first 10 minutes, but then I will settle down. I hope I am good enough after six to eight weeks out."
Jamie Roberts Quotes of the week

"I am just delighted to be part of such a huge match. I am sure I will be blowing a bit in the first 10 minutes, but then I will settle down. I hope I am good enough after six to eight weeks out."

Dan Lydiate, who misses the trip to Dublin because of an ankle problem, will be replaced by former Wales captain Ryan Jones.

Also missing from Warren Gatland's Dublin plans are prop Gethin Jenkins (knee), hookers Matthew Rees (calf strain) and Lloyd Burns (neck), plus locks Luke Charteris (wrist) and Alun-Wyn Jones (toe).

The Wales coach however can still field 10 survivors from the team that claimed a comprehensive World Cup quarter-final win against Ireland in Wellington four months ago

"We not only need to emulate that World Cup game," added Roberts. "But also improve on it, because nothing less will do.

Toughest

"We need to produce the perfect game to beat Ireland, that is what it will take. We were very close to being perfect in the World Cup game, and we all need to put our hands up and produce again."
Jamie Roberts Quotes of the week

"We need to produce the perfect game to beat Ireland, that is what it will take. We were very close to being perfect in the World Cup game, and we all need to put our hands up and produce again.

"Ireland away first up is one of the toughest challenges you can have in the tournament.

"Their players are playing well domestically, and they have the motivation of the World Cup and the defeat to us last year.

"The winning team in the first Six Nations game can get on a snowball, while the losers go away knowing that all the pressure is on them to win their next match to stay in the hunt."

Hooker Huw Bennett will become only the second Wales hooker after Garin Jenkins to win his 50th cap while Gatland will also celebrate his 50th games in charge of Wales since he was appointed for the 2008 Six Nations campaign.