The difficulties that Warren Gatland had in selecting the Wales team to play Ireland at Croke Park on Saturday were summed up in the team's hotel at lunchtime yesterday. As he announced the players, Gatland was unshaven, as if he had been up all night wrestling over whether to play Stephen Jones at fly half or reward the youthful promise of James Hook.

Asked what had made him select Jones to start the match that may settle the triple crown, the head coach raised a finger to the sky several times.

“Divine inspiration?” someone asked. Gatland did not deny it.

The bald facts are that Gatland has made four changes to the team who started against Italy in Cardiff 11 days ago and won 47-8. Michael Phillips comes in at scrum half instead of Dwayne Peel, the only change in the back division. This is in part a reward for Phillips finishing well against Italy and probably being in better form than his rival from Llanelli Scarlets. “At the World Cup I was told I was the second-choice scrum half and that was that,” Phillips said. “This time I have been given a fair opportunity and though Dwayne has more experience, perhaps this is a reward for the guy in form.”

Among the forwards, Alun-Wyn Jones, the lock, has recovered from an ankle injury and is selected instead of Ian Evans, Matthew Rees is replaced at hooker by Huw Bennett and Adam R. Jones takes the place of Rhys Thomas at tight-head prop.

This has the look of one of Wales's strongest teams. But as was obvious from Gatland's appearance and the finger to the sky gesture, it had been a long time in being determined. “Let's not get obsessed about the No10s,” Gatland said, which is a jarring note to strike in a country obsessed with their fly halves. “Stephen is starting, but it could be different against France. We are lucky to have some quality players. It is a strong side and a nice position to be in where a number of players have put their hand up.”

Gatland said that he believed that discipline will be the quality Wales will need most on Saturday. He has emphasised to his men the importance of not allowing themselves to give away penalties that Ronan O'Gara could convert. “They are an

experienced side,” Gatland said. “They will niggle away at you, gather our jerseys. We have to make sure their lineout does not function.”

These words were echoed by Ryan Jones. “We don't want to work our nuts off to get into the Irish 22 and then make a mistake and be sent 50 yards downfield,” the Wales captain said. “Desire and belief and a good work ethic are the hallmarks of this team.”

But it is not only O'Gara. The Wales players know that a revitalised Brian O'Driscoll poses an enormous threat, as does Eoin Reddan, the scrum half whom Shaun Edwards has nurtured at Wasps and is beginning to boss the forwards he plays behind. “His attitude is superb,” Edwards, the Wales defence coach, said. “He has one of the sharpest rugby minds I have come across. He is a joy to coach.”

Edwards is certainly not the only man in Wales who hopes that Reddan will not be so successful at Croke Park on Saturday.