Although a cloud still lingers over the Wales-Ireland game in Cardiff this Saturday, both camps continued as normal yesterday, with Welsh coach Graham Henry revealing two changes by recalling winger Gareth Thomas and converted full-back Stephen Jones.

As things stand the British Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is not inclined toward requesting a postponement of the game because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak, as it has been given no veterinary advice to that end. At home, the Department of Agriculture has been more close-lipped, a spokesperson merely maintaining it is monitoring a situation "which is very complex and fluid".

It anticipates making a statement today regarding the advisability of the estimated 10,000 Irish supporters travelling to the match from Thursday onwards. Thus, were the risk deemed too great the Department could ask the IRFU not to go ahead with the team's travel arrangements tomorrow, effectively forcing the cancellation of the game.

The Wales team manager David Pickering admitted: "We are aware that there is a very serious agriculture problem at the moment. But we are preparing fully for the game to go ahead. We know the IRFU are in contact with the Irish Government with regard to the foot-and-mouth outbreak, but all we can do is go on normally with our preparations."

By recalling Jones - an original selection for the 28-all draw last Saturday week with Scotland before withdrawing due to a back muscle spasm - and Thomas in place of Rhys Williams and Mark Jones, Henry has reverted to, with the one exception, the team beaten 44-15 by England.

"We have improved as a team since our first match, but this encounter will demand we move up at least another notch," said Henry. "This Ireland team has individual talent and collective desire and will test us in every department."

In reference to Ireland's extraordinary, unbeaten sequence away to Wales, which dates back to 1983, Henry observed: "The nature of these fixtures over the past 20 years or so defies analysis. The sequence has to be broken and with the improvement we have shown since our championship opener, I believe this is a game we are more than capable of winning."

Ireland trained in Greystones yesterday and will have an open session in Lansdowne Road this morning before announcing their team at a lunchtime press conference. No changes are expected from the side which beat France.