Dublin (AFP) - Ireland coach Andy Farrell has made five changes to the starting XV that hammered England last month, for Friday’s Six Nations match at home to Wales.

The team will be led out at Lansdowne Road by Jamison Gibson-Park, on the occasion of his 50th cap.

Farrell said French scrum-half Antoine Dupont may be a “generational player” but feels Gibson-Park has something special about him too.

“He (Jamison) has the full box of tricks,” said Farrell at his press conference following the team announcement.

Farrell’s faith in the 34-year-old is such that he immediately came to mind when a member of the coaching staff posed an unusual question last week.

“Someone asked if somebody broke in to your house, who would you want protecting it?” said Farrell.

“I thought straight away, Jamison.

“He’d probably bite your ankles off first and then do whatever he wanted, but he’s that type of competitor.”

Gibson-Park, man of the match in the 42-21 win over England at Twickenham, will have as his understudy for the Wales game someone just starting out in their Test career, Nathan Doak, who is set to win his first cap.

Doak will at least have some familiar faces around him as three of the five changes in the starting line-up are Ulster teammates.

Nick Timoney is rewarded for impressive performances as a replacement with his first Six Nations start in the backrow.

- ‘Have discussions’ -

Ulster wing Jacob Stockdale gets another chance, after being omitted following the opening defeat by France, as he replaces the injured James Lowe.

Stockdale was not the only player who had a poor game against France, but Farrell said others had been given the chance to redeem themselves - and Stockdale deserved one too.

“I suppose he’s been waiting in the wings there to try and wait for another opportunity to have a crack at it because, again, he’s been showing up pretty well,” he said.

The third of the Ulster trio drafted in is prop Tom O’Toole, who replaces Jeremy Loughman, who has a calf injury.

In all there are seven Ulster players in the 23, quite a contrast from two years ago when there were none at times.

“It’s a fantastic news story, yeah,” said Farrell.

“It just goes to show that if teams are going well and playing good rugby then they will get selected,” added the 50-year-old Englishman.

The other two personnel changes are hooker Ronan Kelleher, who comes in for Leinster teammate Dan Sheehan, and Jack Conan is selected in the backrow alongside captain Caelan Doris and Timoney.

As a result Tadhg Beirne moves from the backrow to partner James Ryan at lock while Joe McCarthy drops to the bench.

Farrell, whose side still entertain outside hopes of the title although France can seal the championship this weekend if they gain a bonus-point win over Scotland, also addressed his own future.

Reports had circulated linking him with joining English PREM side Saracens after the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

“I suppose it’s people (putting) two and two together and making five with the connections: good friends with the owner, Owen’s (his son) there, all of that,” said Farrell, who has been in charge since after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

“You can see why that’s happened but I suppose we’ll sit down and have discussions with the IRFU in the near future, that’s for sure.”

Wales will start as huge underdogs to end their 14-match Six Nations losing streak, but their morale has been bolstered by going close to beating Scotland in their previous match.

Team (15-1)

Jamie Osborne; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Caelan Doris (capt), Nick Timoney, Jack Conan; Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan; Tadhg Furlong, Ronan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Michael Milne, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, Josh van der Flier, Nathan Doak, Tom Farrell, Ciaran Frawley

Coach: Andy Farrell (ENG)