Wales have called up Gareth Delve to the squad for the RBS Six Nations clash against Ireland this Saturday at Croke Park.
Delve, a number eight for Gloucester, has been drafted in because captain Ryan Jones is struggling with a calf injury.
Although Welsh assistant Neil Jenkins is confident that Jones will be fit to face the current champions, he feels that extra back-row cover was needed in the wake of Andy Powell's dismissal from the squad on disciplinary reasons.
Jenkins explained: "We are expecting Ryan to be fine but we have called on Gareth to boost the squad numbers in the forwards and provide cover in that back-row area.
"We have been keeping a close eye on him, no one more so than Shaun Edwards whose Wasps side beat Gloucester at the weekend, and we think he has been playing well and will do a job for us if called upon."