Warren Gatland has added Gloucester captain Gareth Delve to his forward pack ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash with Ireland at Croke Park.
The 27-year-old number eight comes in after injuries to Ospreys lock Alan-Wyn Jones and Cardiff Blues second row Deiniol Jones, whose team-mate Andy Powell has been suspended.
Delve, whose last of his four caps came in the 2008 summer tour to South Africa, will also provide cover for captain Ryan Jones, who has been troubled by calf problems.
"We are expecting Ryan to be fine," Neil Jenkins, Wales assistant coach, said.
"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."
Wales are bidding to add to their solitary win in this year's Six Nations, which came against Scotland at the Millennium Stadium.
© Adfero Ltd