IRELAND'S aerial prowess means that Wales are considering changing their back three for the must-win Six Nations clash in Dublin.

Warren Gatland's men need to triumph at the Aviva Stadium a week on Saturday to stay in title contention after being edged out by England at Twickenham last weekend.

The champions took the spoils in London after getting the better of the back three of Josh Adams, Steff Evans and Gareth Anscombe in the kicking battle.

Competing for the high ball has been a facet of Wales' game that has been strong over the years when they have had the likes of Leigh Halfpenny, Dan Biggar and Jamie Roberts in the side.

Halfpenny was a late withdrawal for Twickenham because of a foot infection but is set to return to training this week while the management will also mull over bringing in George North, who impressed off the bench, and Lions full-back Liam Williams, who returned from injury for Saracens.

Dragons wing/full-back Hallam Amos is also an option after having a superb autumn series and impressing on his return from an ankle injury with a man of the match display against Glasgow last weekend.

Changes are likely for Dublin, especially as the hosts boast arch game controllers Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton as their half-backs.

"We always talk about dominating the air and winning the aerial battle but we missed out in that department, which has been a strength of ours," said assistant coach Rob Howley. "For whatever reason we didn't come up with the goods.

"Because of the conditions there were 74 kicks in the game and it was difficult in a swirling wind and wet weather. Their wingers certainly got positive reward from the kicking game and Owen Farrell put us under pressure."

Wales named an unchanged XV for Twickenham after hammering Scotland in round one (although Halfpenny was forced to pull out on the Friday) but Gatland could call on experience for Dublin.

"I think the players deserved a vote of confidence after Scotland when we won, it's a totally different mindset when you have lost," said Howley.

"In terms of competition for places, there is a lot of experience that wasn't selected or available for last weekend.

"The English kicking game was outstanding and we expect no different from Conor and Johnny. Conor is probably one of the best kickers from 9 in terms of height and distance, certainly it will be a short kicking game and infield.

"We have to deal with that and it's an area we've talked about. There's a lot of experience that didn't play at England that has been involved in those games but there's also the opportunity to learn from the experience of Twickenham.

"Players who had that opportunity know what it's like to go toe-to-toe with the second best side in world rugby."

Halfpenny will return to training in the next couple of days while fly-half Biggar is going through his contact protocols after being sidelined by a shoulder injury.

The Osprey's return would give Gatland more food for thought at 10 with Anscombe also an option after Rhys Patchell started the opening two rounds, impressing against the Scots but struggling a little in London.

Anscombe moved to fly-half in the second half and exploited tired English legs with some enterprising attacks.

"He certainly gave us a lot of rhythm and accuracy, it was good to see" said Howley.

"Over the last few weeks for the Blues he has played at 15 more than 10, but it was good to see him at first receiver and when Leigh dropped out we wanted him to do that as much as possible so that we could play both sides."

Number eight Taulupe Faletau, who has been out with a knee injury, could feature for Bath at Newcastle in the Aviva Premiership on Friday.

Under World Rugby rules, English-based players must return to their clubs this week with Liam Williams’ Sarries at Sale on Friday, back row forward Ross Moriarty and Owen Williams could feature for Gloucester against Adams’ Worcester on Saturday while North may play for the Saints against London Irish.