Gareth Jenkins today announced the 33-man squad to mount Wales' challenge on the 2007 RBS Six Nations Championship.
Cardiff Blues have 9 players in the squad including Scott Morgan who has been called up to the Welsh squad for the first time after some outstanding performances for the Blues this season.
Head coach Jenkins believes his talented squad will relish the chance to measure themselves against the World top five ranked team, and bookmakers' favourites for the tournament, in front of a capacity home Millennium Stadium crowd next week - and hopes his side's debut performance of the Rugby World Cup year can set a lasting tone.
"If you'd asked me to pick the game to open our Six Nations campaign this season it would have been this one," said Jenkins.
"Ireland are very much the team to beat this year, they will come to us as firm favourites and it's probably the toughest start to the year we could've been given.
"But that's how you measure yourselves and we have to be realistic about what is achievable this year. We want to beat every team put in front of us and, if we can get off to a good start against Ireland in front of our home fans, then we have a chance to lay down a marker for ourselves for the gruelling season ahead.
The only uncapped player, in a squad which also welcomes the return of Grand Slamming lock Robert Sidoli from shoulder surgery, is Blues back five player Scott Morgan who Jenkins says will be viewed as a second row.
"Scott has played himself into contention with some sterling performances for the Blues as a middle line-out jumper mostly from the No6 position, but our squad make-up means we will be looking for him to give us options at lock," he said.
"In the backs Mark Jones (ankle), Lee Byrne (knee) and Sonny Parker (groin) have all suffered injuries, which is a blow for us, but the door is not closed on this squad and any player who can get himself fighting fit again will be monitored throughout the tournament.
"Chris Czekaj is another handed the opportunity to impress again on the international stage due to the withdrawal of other players. He missed out on Autumn selection, but his form has been much improved of late and he makes a welcome return.
Commenting on Scott Morgans selection David Young said: Scott has been a quality player for Leeds for the past three or four seasons, but it was a case of out of sight out of mind. Hes come back and been a quality signing for us. I am sure he is going to be a big bonus for the Six Nations squad and I think its a well deserved call up.
WALES BIOGS
Kevin MORGAN (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS)
DoB: 23.02.77. 5'10". 13st 4lbs
International record: 39 caps (W23, L15, D 1; 55 pts - 11T)
Gavin HENSON (OSPREYS)
DoB: 01.02.82. 6'0". 15st 7lbs
International record: 20 caps (W 11, L 8, D 1; 130 pts - 3T,29C,18PG,1DG)
Chris CZEKAJ (CARDIFF BLUES)
DoB: 14.12.85. 6'3". 15st 12lbs
International record: 2 caps (W 1, L 1; 5 pts - 1T)
Shane WILLIAMS (OSPREYS)
DoB: 26.02.77. 5'8". 12st 13lbs
International record: 43 caps (W 21, L 20, D 2; 140 pts - 28T)
Gareth THOMAS (TOULOUSE)
DoB: 25.07.74. 6'2". 16st 4lbs
International record: 90 caps (W 48, L 41, D 1; 185 pts - 37T)
Jamie ROBINSON (CARDIFF BLUES)
DoB: 07.04.80. 6'2". 15st 0lbs
International record: 15 caps (W 6, L 9; 25 pts - 5T)
Tom SHANKLIN (CARDIFF BLUES)
DoB: 24.11.79. 6'2". 15st 7lbs
International record: 36 caps (W 16, L 19, D 1; 80 pts - 16T)
Gavin EVANS (LLANELLI SCARLETS)
DoB: 18.07.84. 6'3". 15st 10lbs
International record: 1 cap (W 1)
James HOOK (OSPREYS)
DoB: 27.06.85. 6'0". 12st 11lbs
International record: 6 caps (W 2, L 3, D 1; 51 pts - 2T, 13C, 5PG)
Hal LUSCOMBE (NEC HARLEQUINS)
DoB: 23.02.81. 6'3". 15st 9lb
International record: 15 caps (W 8, L 6, D 1; 10 pts - 2T)
Stephen JONES (LLANELLI SCARLETS, CAPTAIN)
DoB: 08.12.77. 6'1". 14st 12lbs
International record: 58 caps (W 26, L 30, D 2; 512 pts - 6T,91C,97PG,3DG)
Ceri SWEENEY (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS)
DoB: 21.01.80. 5'10". 13st 7lbs
International record: 29 caps (W 15, L 14; 84 pts - 4T, 23C, 5PG, 1DG)
Dwayne PEEL (LLANELLI SCARLETS)
DoB: 31.08.81. 5'9". 13st 8lbs
International record: 48 caps (W 22, L 24, D 2; 25 pts - 5T)
Gareth COOPER (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS)
DoB: 07.05.79. 5'7". 13st 4lbs
International record: 32 caps (W 16, L 16; 30 pts - 6T)
Michael PHILLIPS (CARDIFF BLUES)
DoB: 29.08.82. 6'3". 14st 0lbs
International record: 17 caps (W 9, L 7, D 1; 10 pts - 2T)
Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES)
DoB: 17.11.80. 6'2". 19st 0lbs
International record: 40 caps (W 16, L 22, D 2; 15 pts - 3T)
Duncan JONES (OSPREYS)
DoB: 18.09.78. 6'0". 17st 4lbs
International record: 33 caps (W 14, L 17, D 2)
Adam JONES (OSPREYS)
DoB: 08.03.81. 6'0". 19st 0lbs
International record: 37 caps (W 19, L 16, D 2; 5 pts - 1T)
Chris HORSMAN (WORCESTER WARRIORS)
DoB: 02.02.78. 6'3". 17st 6lbs
International record: 5 caps (W 3, L 2)
Rhys THOMAS (CARDIFF BLUES)
DoB: 23.04.82. 6'0". 16st 6lbs
International record: 14 caps (W 7, L 6, D 1)
Mefin DAVIES (GLOUCESTER RUGBY)
DoB: 02.09.72. 5'10". 15st 0lbs
International record: 37 caps (W 17, L 19, D 1; 10 pts - 2T)
Matthew REES (LLANELLI SCARLETS)
DoB: 09.12.80. 6'2". 15st 11lbs
International record: 5 caps (W 2, L 2, D 1; 5 pts - 1T)
Ian GOUGH (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS)
DoB: 10.11.76. 6' 5". 17st 4lbs
International record: 35 caps (W 15, L 17, D 3; 5 pts - 1T)
Brent COCKBAIN (OSPREYS)
DoB: 15.11.74. 6'8". 18st 11lb
International record: 22 caps (W 13, L 9; 5 pts - 1T)
Robert SIDOLI (CARDIFF BLUES)
DoB: 21.06.79. 6'6". 18st 2lbs
International record: 37 caps (W 17, L 19, D 1; 10 pts - 2T)
Scott MORGAN (CARDIFF BLUES)
DoB: 17.10.78. 6'6". 17st 4lbs
International record: Uncapped
Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS)
DoB: 19.09.85. 6'5". 17st 0lbs
International record: 5 caps (W 2, L 3)
Ryan JONES (OSPREYS)
DoB: 13.03.81. 6'5". 17st 10lbs
International record: 11 caps (W 7, L 3, D 1; 5 pts - 1T)
Alix POPHAM (LLANELLI SCARLETS)
DoB: 17.10.79. 6'3". 17st 4lbs
International record: 19 caps (W 8, L 10, D 1; 10 pts - 2T)
Martyn WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES)
DoB: 01.09.75. 6'0". 15st 8lbs
International record: 64 caps (W 28, L 33, D 3; 53 pts - 10T, 1DG)
Gavin THOMAS (LLANELLI SCARLETS)
DoB: 22.10.77. 6'1". 15st 10lbs
International record: 19 caps (W 7, L 12; 20 pts - 4T)
Colin CHARVIS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS)
DoB: 27.12.72. 6'2". 16st 10lbs
International record: 84 caps (W 39, L 43, D 2; 100 pts - 20T)
Gareth DELVE (BATH RUGBY)
DoB: 30.12.82. 6'3". 17st 13lbs
International record: 4 caps (W 1, L 3; 5 pts - 1T)