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Cardiff - Wales selected winger Tom James for the first time in more than five years and preferred Justin Tipuric to Dan Lydiate in the back row for the Six Nations game against Ireland in Dublin on Sunday.
Jonathan Davies will return from a knee injury that forced him to miss the Rugby World Cup last year, starting at centre alongside Jamie Roberts.
James' last appearance for Wales was in the 37-25 loss to New Zealand in Cardiff in November 2010.
Lydiate was named on the bench Wednesday after only recently returning to club action after a month out with shoulder and neck problems. To accommodate Tipuric on the openside, captain Sam Warburton moved to the blindside flank.
There was no place for utility back Liam Williams, with Gareth Anscombe starting at fullback. Lock Bradley Davies will win his 50th cap if he comes off the bench.
Ireland has won the last two Six Nations tournaments.
Wales squad to face Ireland in Dublin
15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tom James, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies; 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Sam Warburton, 5 Alun-Wyn Jones, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Rob Evans.
Reserves: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Bradley Davies, 20 Dan Lydiate, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Alex Cuthbert.
