Six Nations: WALES v IRELAND
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Date: Sat, 12 March Kick-off: 1700 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on BBC One, BBC One HD and online from 1635-1900; Listen on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Radio 5 Live; Text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

Eoin Reddan got the nod for the Wales game at the Millennium Stadium

Ireland scum-half Eoin Reddan heads to the Millennium Stadium on Saturday two years after missing out on his country's emotional Grand Slam triumph.

Reddan fell out of favour in Ireland's historic 2009 season after being first-choice number nine for the Irish in the two previous seasons.

"The day after we won the Grand Slam in Cardiff, I was playing Bristol (for Wasps)," said the Leinster scrum-half.

"I have mixed feelings of playing in Cardiff if I'm to be brutally honest."

It was a frustrating experience for the 28-year-old that strengthened his resolve to reclaim his place in the squad.

"I was delighted to watch the lads lift the Grand Slam because I had so many friends in Irish rugby.

"But at the same time when we were beating England that year, I was on a bus home with Wasps after getting beaten by Worcester away, which wasn't so glamorous a fixture.

"That day was great for Irish rugby and very positive, but for those who weren't there it made you want to be involved.

"It makes you want to contribute your own little bit, giving motivation to add something positive that you can be proud of yourself."

The feeling of having the negatives pointed out, compared to the hurt you feel in a losing dressing room, is minuscule Eoin Reddan

There is less at stake in Saturday's trip to Cardiff after France ruined Irish hopes of a second Grand Slam in three years but a Triple Crown remains a possibility for Declan Kidney's side.

Ireland's 2011 campaign to date has been a frustrating mixture of occasional brilliance, individual errors and indiscipline and the team has come in for some strong media criticism.

Reddan insists that the frustration felt in the Irish dressing-room after games has been a much great sense of annoyance than any negative comments from the pundits.

"The feeling of having the negatives pointed out, compared to the hurt you feel in a losing dressing room, is minuscule," he said.

"People are entitled to their opinion, some of them like to focus on positives and some of them on negatives.

"Our job is to win the game and perform well on Saturday. You can't rely on what's said to motivate you to play well.

"Everyone's asking us about penalties and if you look at the facts, people have to ask us about that. I'm not surprised really."

Reddan celebrated his first start at scrum-half since November by scoring a try in the 21-18 victory over Scotland.

And while Tomas O'Leary was available for selection again after injury, Declan Kidney has kept faith with the Leinster player for Saturday's Cardiff clash.

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