Ronan O'Gara continues at fly-half for Ireland

Ronan O'Gara continues at fly-half after Ireland named an unchanged team for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

O'Gara has been retained ahead of Jonathan Sexton following his man-of-the-match display in the 21-18 victory against Scotland.

The 34-year-old is just two short of accumulating 1,000 Test points after scoring a try and landing three conversions at Murrayfield.

Winning his 107th cap on Saturday, he is also two Tests adrift of equalling Mike Gibson's all-time championship appearance record of 56.

Eoin Reddan continues at scrum-half following a fine display against Scotland, keeping Tomas O'Leary out of the squad.

Brian O'Driscoll leads the team in his 111th cap needing just one try to equal Ian Smith's all-time championship try-scoring record of 24.

Ireland have established an extraordinary record in Cardiff where they have lost just once since 1985.

The defeat in 2005 is the only blemish in a 12-match sequence that includes 10 victories and a draw.

Their previous visit to the Millennium Stadium in 2009 saw Ireland complete their first Grand Slam for 61 years with O'Gara landing the match-winning drop-goal.

Declan Kidney's side head to Cardiff as marginal 11/10 underdogs following a mixed Six Nations undermined by on-field disciplinary issues and a high error-count.

Head coach Kidney said today: "Everything points to the fact there isn't much between us. I know we have a huge game ahead of us.

"There was nothing in the game two years ago, just one kick of the ball between us. We'll have to take the chances that arrive."

For all their problems, Ireland retain a technical chance of winning the championship, though England's vastly superior points difference indicates it is well beyond them.

Concerns over ebbing confidence levels refuse to go away, while some players have been criticised for their response to negative reaction to the performance against Scotland posted on Twitter by fans.

Ireland team to face Wales in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on Saturday, March 12 (5pm kick off):

L Fitzgerald (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, capt), G D'Arcy (Leinster), K Earls (Munster); R O'Gara (Munster), E Reddan (Leinster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), S O'Brien (Leinster), D Wallace (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster).

Replacements: S Cronin (Connacht), T Court (Ulster), L Cullen (Leinster), D Leamy (Munster), P Stringer (Munster), J Sexton (Leinster), P Wallace (Ulster).