NEWCASTLE Emlyn star Gareth Davies has been named in Wales’ starting line-up to face reigning RBS Six Nations champions Ireland in Dublin on Sunday.

The former pupil of Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi in Llandysul will line-up in a half-back partnership with Dan Biggar for the fifth consecutive Wales match.

Scarlets scrum half Davies, capped nine times, was Wales’ top try-scorer at the World Cup with five, and keeps the number nine jersey ahead of Brynmor Williams, who will be on the bench.

In the back-line, winger Tom James will form a new look back-three alongside Gareth Anscombe, at full-back, and George North on the other wing.

Jonathan Davies returns to the side from injury for the first time since last year’s Six Nations, and he is named alongside Jamie Roberts in midfield, to reform Wales’ most capped centre pairing.

In the forwards, Justin Tipuric starts the game at openside flanker with captain Sam Warburton at blindside and Taulupe Faletau at number eight, completing an all-British and Irish Lions back-row.

In the front-row, Rob Evans starts at loose-head, with Samson Lee at tight-head, and Scott Baldwin hooker, whilst Luke Charteris and Alun Wyn Jones continue their partnership in the second row.

"We are excited by the make-up of the squad, it’s very experienced, along with one eye looking to the future,” said Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland.

"Rob (Evans) gets a start at loose-head, he’s played well for us before and deserves a chance looking ahead to the next few years.

"We have been impressed with Tom James’ form for Cardiff Blues and we are excited by the mix of the back-row which has played well together before.

"It’s great to see Jonathan (Davies) back and alongside Jamie, which makes a pretty experienced midfield.

"Gareth (Anscombe) at full-back also gives us the option of having two first receivers.

"We have a very experienced bench, with a lot of caps there and hopefully they will come on and make an impact.”

On the bench, Ken Owens, Gethin Jenkins and Tomas Francis provide the front-row cover with Bradley Davies and Dan Lydiate rounding off the forward contingent.

Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland and Alex Cuthbert provide the backline cover.

Wales team to play Ireland:

Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Tom James (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues).