Powell doubt for crunch clash

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The Cardiff Blues number eight pulled out of the final Millennium Stadium training session on Friday due to a sore thigh muscle.

If he is ruled out, Scarlets forward Dafydd Jones will move into the back row, with Ospreys flanker Jonathan Thomas taking Jones' place on the bench.

Powell has started all of Wales' Six Nations games this season, although he has not recaptured the blistering form that accompanied his arrival on the Test match stage last autumn.

"Andy has got a bit of a sore quad," said Wales head coach Warren Gatland. "He didn't do the whole session. It is a slight concern. He pulled out of the session because his quad was pretty tight."

Wales will retain the Six Nations title if they beat Ireland by 13 points or more - something they last achieved in 1983.

A victory of any description would secure a third Triple Crown in five seasons but Ireland are chasing every prize available - title, Triple Crown and a first Grand Slam since 1948.

Wales have not lost at home in the Six Nations since Ireland beat them 19-9 more than two years ago but an Irish side has never travelled to Cardiff with such a weight of expectation on their shoulders.

"While we are feeling pretty relaxed, trust me, Ireland will be feeling the squeeze. They are the side under a lot more pressure," said Wales wing Shane Williams.

"They are tantalisingly close to their first Grand Slam for a long, long time, and they will be really feeling it as the tension builds. They have it all to lose."