Dragons’ second row Luke Charteris has been named on the bench for the RBS 6 Nations Championship deciding clash with Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday (Kick-off 5.30pm).
Squad captain Ryan Jones resumes his position as team leader and he welcomes Martyn Williams back alongside him in the back row with Andy Powell retained at Number 8.
"I don't mind admitting we have left ourselves with a lot to do to win the Championship, but on the other hand the 13-point deficit is by no means insurmountable," said Gatland.
"There is also a Triple Crown at stake and we know only too well in Wales that Grand Slams don't come cheaply - we've won two in the last decade and so all the pressure will be on Ireland to grab only the second in their history.
"With a healthy head start you have to say Ireland are probably favourites to take the title, but we are confident we can come up with a win and who knows what will happen if we can get ourselves ahead in the game and that Millennium Stadium factor begins to kick in."
WALES: Lee Byrne; Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, Gavin Henson, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Ian Gough, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones (Capt), Martyn Williams, Andy Powell
REPLACEMENTS: Huw Bennett, John Yapp, Luke Charteris, Dafydd Jones, Warren Fury, James Hook, Jamie Roberts
Squad captain Ryan Jones resumes his position as team leader and he welcomes Martyn Williams back alongside him in the back row with Andy Powell retained at Number 8.
"I don't mind admitting we have left ourselves with a lot to do to win the Championship, but on the other hand the 13-point deficit is by no means insurmountable," said Gatland.
"There is also a Triple Crown at stake and we know only too well in Wales that Grand Slams don't come cheaply - we've won two in the last decade and so all the pressure will be on Ireland to grab only the second in their history.
"With a healthy head start you have to say Ireland are probably favourites to take the title, but we are confident we can come up with a win and who knows what will happen if we can get ourselves ahead in the game and that Millennium Stadium factor begins to kick in."
WALES: Lee Byrne; Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, Gavin Henson, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Ian Gough, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones (Capt), Martyn Williams, Andy Powell
REPLACEMENTS: Huw Bennett, John Yapp, Luke Charteris, Dafydd Jones, Warren Fury, James Hook, Jamie Roberts
