Ireland book a Kearney double act

After his brother David has played for the Under 20 side on Friday night, the 21-year-old Leinster back will fill the senior No 15 shirt against Warren Gatland's Grand Slam-chasing team at Croke Park.

He has been switched from the left wing as an emergency measure after Girvan Dempsey and Geordan Murphy were ruled out of the RBS Six Nations match with hip and achilles injuries respectively.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan moved Tommy Bowe to the left wing, with Shane Horgan promoted from the bench for his first start since the World Cup. Luke Fitzgerald joins the replacements.

Kearney has won only four Test caps but he is highly regarded by the Irish management as a talented, attacking runner. He insists he will take the change of role in his stride, despite the looming threat of an aerial bombardment from Welsh kickers Stephen Jones, Gavin Henson and Lee Byrne.

Kearney, who deputised for Dempsey in the Leinster side after the World Cup, said: 'Throughout the last three seasons, I was switching from 15 to 11. I wouldn't say I'm used to it, but I'd like to think it's something that won't faze me.

'Certainly it's a switch mentally, because both positions bring different aspects to the game, but I'm equally comfortable at both.'

While Kearney is bracing himself for a new challenge, Wales captain Ryan Jones is trying to come to terms with expectation around the Principality. The squad have tried to shut themselves off from Grand Slam fever, but it has proved to be a hopeless task.

'I did a testimonial dinner with Shane (Williams) the other day and the buzz is huge,' said the No 8. 'People are really on the bandwagon. It does make such a huge difference to people down here when the rugby team are doing so well.

'Of course I realise how important it is to people. I speak to my old man most days and he is one of those Mad Taffs! So we're not in a vacuum, but it's crucial that we keep level heads.'