Jarvis in at tighthead as Wales face Argentina

Posted on Nov 6, 2012

The Wales team to play Argentina in the Dove Men Series opener at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday (2.30pm) shows just four changes to the starting line-up from the 2012 RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam winning side – including one debutant.

Up front Ospreys prop Aaron Jarvis comes in for his injured team-mate Adam Jones (knee) on the tight-head to win his first cap, whilst Scarlets flanker Josh Turnbull makes his second start in national colours, winning his fifth cap, in place of Dan Lydiate (also injured – ankle).

In the backs Scarlet Tavis Knoyle replaces Mike Phillips (Bayonne) at scrum-half, with Phillips providing cover from the bench and another Scarlet Scott Williams replaces his regional team-mate Jonathan Davies in the centre.

Davies was unavailable for selection this week after failing to fully recover from the groin injury he sustained whilst on Scarlets duty against Clermont in the Heineken Cup – the Wales medical team say he is working incredibly hard on his rehabilitation and his situation will be continually monitored.

Also ruled out of contention for the Argentina game, alongside Davies and Osprey Ryan Jones (shoulder), was Ospreys centre Ashley Beck who will be allowed more time to recover from an ongoing hip injury sustained prior to entry into this campaign.  Beck will undergo a week of rehabilitation and conditioning which should enable him to be available for selection for next week’s clash with Samoa (Friday 16th November).

Williams partners Jamie Roberts (Blues) in the centre, with Roberts returning to international duty for the first time since the Grand Slam climax against France at the Millennium Stadium last March.

Roberts missed Wales’ recent tour of Australia after undergoing knee surgery and he is one of seven players to come into the starting line-up since that final Test in Sydney.

None of Jarvis, Turnbull, Knoyle, Roberts or Williams faced the Wallabies last time out and they are joined by Dragons No 8 Toby Faletau (who replaces the injured Ryan Jones) and Ospreys second row Ian Evans, in for Blues lock Bradley Davies, from that final game of the summer tour.

On the bench Perpignan pivot James Hook joins Phillips and Scarlets full-back Liam Williams – who could win his second cap – as cover for the backs

Front row cover is provided by Ospreys pair Richard Hibbard (hooker) and Ryan Bevington and Bath prop Paul James.  Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric is joined by Scarlets back row Rob McCusker as forward cover to complete the line-up.

“One or two injuries have forced our hands in certain areas in terms of selection, but the fact that we are still able to field a side packed with Grand Slam experience shows that we have been able to develop some depth in recent years,” said Wales interim head coach Rob Howley.

“There are obvious opportunities for the likes of Aaron (at prop), Tavis at scrum-half and Josh in the back row, to pull on the jersey against Argentina and try to make it their own.

“We all know how important a good start against the Pumas will be to our November series, they arrive battle-hardened after a tough Rugby Championship campaign.  They will be looking to silence the Millennium Stadium crowd from the outset and we know we can’t afford to let that happen, with a successful campaign this Autumn vital to our ambitions for the future.”

WALES: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, George North; Rhys Priestland, Tavis Knoyle; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Aaron Jarvis, Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Josh Turnbull, Sam Warburton (Captain), Toby Faletau

REPLACEMENTS: Richard Hibbard, Ryan Bevington, Paul James, Rob McCusker, Justin Tipuric, Mike Phillips, James Hook, Liam Williams

WALES FIXTURES STILL ON SALE:

10 November 2012, 1430hrs, Millennium Stadium – WALES v ARGENTINA Adults £30 U16 £10

16 November 2012, 1930hrs, Millennium Stadium – WALES v SAMOA Adults £25 U16 £10

1 December 2012 1430 hrs, Millennium Stadium – WALES v AUSTRALIA From £60

Tickets online: wru.co.uk. Tel: 0844 2 777 888

(more…)

Ryan out of first test v Argentina

Posted on Nov 5, 2012

Ryan Jones will not be available for selection for Wales’ opening Dove Men Series clash with Argentina at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, but is expected to recover from his ‘irritable shoulder’ in time for the visit of Samoa a week later.

Ospreys flanker Jones flew home from the national squad training camp in Spala, Poland, last week for scans on the shoulder which had been troubling him over recent weeks.

On reviewing his results, Wales medical staff have decided Jones needs a further period of rest in order to fully recover from the problem, thus ruling him out of contention for the Pumas game, but they expect him to be back in time face the South Sea Islanders on Friday 16th November, if required.

The Wales team to face Argentina in the Dove Men Series will be named tomorrow, Tuesday 6thNovember, at 1pm.

Howley and “Foxy” Davies on Wales Autumn series

Posted on Sep 27, 2012

Wales caretaker head coach Rob Howley will name his squad to face Argentina, Samoa, Australia and New Zealand in the Dove Men Series at the Millennium Stadium this autumn, in just over three weeks’ time.

Howley will take his squad back to Spala in Poland, to the same athlete’s village whose cryotherapy centre was utilised to great effect as part of Welsh preparations for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, at the end of next month, having named his squad a week earlier on Monday, 22 October.

The 2009 British & Irish Lions backs coach, who took full charge of his national side for the first time during this summer’s tour to Australia, will be the man at the helm for Wales for the majority of the season ahead, due to incumbent boss Warren Gatland’s Lions sabbatical.

And the former scrum half’s first act back on home soil after a close fought 3-0 defeat to the Wallabies Down Under is to continue with Gatland’s model for hard work and intense physical preparation.

But Howley, who won 59 caps for Wales and captained his country on 22 occasions, has also warned his squad must maintain a mental edge as well as a physical one in order for them to progress in the weeks ahead.

Wales lost by a single point in the dying seconds of the third Test in Australia, after being ahead as the hooter went in the second Test. Despite the closeness of the matches the history books say Howley’s side failed on three attempts to become the first Welsh team to win on Australian soil since 1969, but the coach believes he will have a stronger squad for the lessons learnt.

The reigning RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam champions have another chance to defeat the Wallabies at the end of the four match series this Autumn, which all starts with a visit from the Pumas to Cardiff on Saturday, 9 November and Howley is looking to create a winning habit from the outset.

“We spoke after that final match (on the Australia tour) as coaches and warned against hiding away from the fact that we had lost this series 3-0,” said Howley.

“The difference between winning and losing those games was about holding our nerve, mastering a particular moment, having the mental strength in the last 30 seconds of a game to do the right thing.

“Yes, these were things we were unable to do in these instances, but we need to remember what it feels like so we can get it right next time.

“It had been a whitewash and it’s important to face up to that, but from both a players’ and coaches’ perspective we know we can draw strength from adversity like that. We thought as a nation we closed that gap in our mental toughness, but we know there is still improvement to make.”

After the Pumas, Howley’s side face Samoa in the now customary and popular Friday night fixture at the Millennium Stadium, which is priced for a family audience, before the already sold-out clash with the All Blacks the following Saturday. Then it’s the eagerly awaited re-match against the Wallabies in the series climax on Saturday, 1 December.

“Argentina are up first and we all know it is the next game that is always the most important,” added Howley.

“The Pumas will benefit from the expansion of the Rugby Championship and the exposure it has given them to Test rugby at the very highest level. It is our most important game because it is our next game, but Samoa come to Cardiff as well, we have another chance to test ourselves against the All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium and we face the Wallabies again.

“We must learn from our experiences in Australia this summer and take them into this autumn series.

“We know we will have opportunities and we know we must take them. We are developing a squad with strength and depth so there is every reason to look forward to the series and the challenges of the year ahead.”

WALES FIXTURES STILL ON SALE:

• 10 November 2012, 1430hrs, Millennium Stadium
• WALES v ARGENTINA Adults £30 U16 £10
• 16 November 2012, 1930hrs, Millennium Stadium
• WALES v SAMOA Adults £25 U16 £10
• 1 December 2012 1430 hrs, Millennium Stadium
• WALES v AUSTRALIA From £60
• Tickets online: wru.co.uk Tel: 0844 2 777 888

(more…)

Wales vs Argentina – travel advice update

Posted on Aug 19, 2011

Following a surge in demand for tickets for the Wales v Argentina summer international on August 20, additional road closures have been added to accommodate the crowd of over 50,000 that is expected.

The following roads will be closed from 12.30 until 5.30pm:

*       Westgate St
*       Kingsway from its junction with North Rd / Boulevard de Nantes to its junction with Duke St.
*       Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate St.
*       Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street (access for residents and traders will be permitted).
*       Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor St (access for residents and traders will be permitted).

The following roads will be closed in their entirety:
Duke Street, Castle Street, High Street, St.Mary Street, Caroline Street, Wood Street, Central Square, Westgate Street, Quay Street, Guildhall Place, Golate, Park Street, Havelock Street and Scott Road.


The best way to travel to the event is by public transport and coach wherever possible. Those bringing their cars into the city can ease worries over congestion and parking costs by using the Council’s park and ride services.

There are two park and ride sites, one at the Cardiff City Football Club (CF11 8HU – Yellow Car Park) and one at Cardiff County Hall (CF10 4UW – Green Car Park)

Both sites can be accessed from junction 33 of the M4. Signs should be followed from the M4 as they will direct drivers to available park and ride sites at time of arrival. The service costs £6 per car.

The car parks will have a staff presence from 8.30am and will open at 9am, with the first bus leaving at 9.30am. The last bus will leave the pick-up points at 6.30pm, with the car parks closing at 7pm.

Coach parking is also available at Sophia at the dedicated coach park with driver facilities, costing £10 per coach.

There is car parking available at Sophia Close, which is within walking distance of the stadium, at a cost of £10 per car.

Wales team for Argentina – Martyn returns

Posted on Aug 16, 2011

Wales have made nine changes to the side who beat England at the Millennium Stadium last weekend for the final Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Argentina in Cardiff on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm).

Martyn Williams (pictured) and Ryan Jones add a combined total of 151 caps to the back row, with Jones captaining his national side for a record equalling 28^th time (alongside Ieuan Evans).

Williams will win his 99th cap, taking him a step closer to the all time appearance total record of 100, held jointly by Gareth Thomas and Stephen Jones, although Jones could steal the limelight if he appears from the bench to break clear with 101 caps.

Both Sam Warburton (Blues) and Dragons No8 Toby Faletau make way but Dan Lydiate (also Dragons) retains his place on the flank to complete the back row unit.

British & Irish Lions prop Adam Jones adds his considerable experience (69 caps) to the front row alongside fellow Osprey Richard Hibbard, who completes his return from shoulder surgery to be preferred to Dragon Lloyd Burns, who missed out alongside prop Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs).

Bradley Davies (Blues) returns in the second row to be re-united with Ospreys lock Alun Wyn Jones, with Dragon Luke Charteris omitted.

In the backs there are four changes of personnel with Ospreys full back Lee Byrne and Blues wing Leigh Halfpenny both returning to full fitness.

Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) replaces the injured Gavin Henson and is re-united with Jamie Roberts (Blues) in the centre, although it is Roberts who will fill the inside centre berth.

Scarlets scrum half Tavis Knoyle is handed his first start of the summer warm-up matches ahead of Osprey Mike Phillips, with Lloyd Williams (Blues) providing specialist cover from the bench and set to win his first cap.

Elsewhere, George North (Scarlets) switches wings to accommodate Halfpenny with Osprey Shane Williams the one to miss out and James Hook (also Ospreys) takes over at fly half replacing the injured Scarlet Rhys Priestland, after starting at full back last weekend.

On the bench Jones and the uncapped Williams are joined by Dragons wing Aled Brew in providing cover for the backs and up front Ospreys pair Ryan Bevington (prop) and Huw Bennett (hooker) are retained.

Uncapped Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric has another chance to make his Millennium Stadium debut and Andy Powell (Sale Sharks) will hope to make an impact on the coach’s RWC selection plans if called upon.

“Criteria for selection has been about putting together a side to win the game, but also about giving some players the opportunity to impress and, therefore, bid for selection for the world Cup,” said head coach Warren Gatland.

“In some areas we are also looking at combinations with that opening game against South Africa on 11 September always kept in mind.

“Beating the Pumas on Saturday would also mean we retain that all important winning momentum going into the World Cup.

“But there are still many places up for grabs on that plane to New Zealand and the players all know they need to perform against the Pumas in order to further their own as well as the national cause.”

Wales assistant coach (backs) Rob Howley added: “We are particularly pleased to get the chance to see Leigh Halfpenny back in a Wales shirt after such a long lay-off, he is looking good at the moment, as is Lee Byrne.

“We have selected an exciting back three and there are one or two combinations in the back line which we wanted to have a look at.

“Scott Williams has done a fine job when called upon and is, perhaps, unlucky not to feature, but fielding the established partnership of Jamie and Jonathan in the centre also gives us the continuity we need.

“James gets the chance to show what he can do once again when he starts at fly half and Tavis also has an opportunity to put his hand up.

“In terms of scrum halves there is also a young man on the bench, who people may not know too much about, but who has impressed us, in Lloyd Williams and we hope to see him at some stage as well.”

Blues prop Gethin Jenkins remains unavailable for selection this week due to a calf problem and there are a number of players carrying bumps and bruises from the match last weekend who have taken a limited part in training during the early part of this week in Luke Charteris, Craig Mitchell, Scott Williams and Aled Brew.

WALES:Lee Byrne; Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; James Hook, Tavis Knoyle; Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones (captain)

REPLACEMENTS: Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Andy Powell, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, Stephen Jones, Aled Brew

WALES

15 Lee BYRNE (ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE– Cap No 1,041)

DoB: 01.06.80. 6’3″ / 1.91m. 14st 12lb / 94kgs

International record: 43 caps (W 17, L 24, D 2; 45 pts – 9T)

14 Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,060)

DoB: 22.12.88. 5’10” / 1.77m. 13st 2lbs / 83kgs

International record: 19 caps (W 7, L 12; 62 pts – 7T, 9PG)

13 Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,066)

DoB:05.04.88. 6’1” / 1.86m. 16st 3lb / 103kgs

International record: 13 caps (W 6, L 7; 10 pts – 2T)

12 Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,057)

DoB: 08.11.86.  6’4” / 1.93m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

International record: 31 caps (W 14, L 17; 10 pts – 2T)

11 George NORTH (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,078)

DoB: 13.04.92. 6’4” / 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs

International record: 7 caps (W 1, L 5, D 1; 25 pts – 5T)

10 JamesHOOK(PERPIGNAN– Cap No 1,047)

DoB: 27.06.85. 6’0” / 1.83m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs

International record: 53 caps (W 22, L 29, D 2; 290 pts – 12T, 37C, 48PG, 4DG)

9 Tavis KNOYLE (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,076)

DoB: 02.06.90. 6’1” / 1.85m. 14st 5lbs / 91kgs

International record: 4 caps (W 1, L 3)

1 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)

DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1” / 1.86m. 18st 2lbs / 115kgs

International record: 25 caps (W 9, L 15, D 1)

2 Richard HIBBARD (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,048)

DoB: 13.12.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 7lbs / 111kgs

International record: 14 caps (W 6, L 8)

3 Adam JONES (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,018)

DoB: 08.03.81. 6’0” / 1.83m. 18st 12lb / 120kgs

International record: 69 caps (W 31, L 35, D 3; 10 pts – 2T)

4 Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065)

DoB: 09.01.87.  6’6” / 1.98m. 19st 1lbs / 121kgs

International record: 23 caps (W 9, L 13, D 1)

5 Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,046)

DoB: 19.09.85. 6’5” / 1.96m. 18st 10lbs / 119kgs

International record: 51 caps (W 20, L 31; 25 pts – 5T)

6 Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,071)

DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6’4”. 17st 10lbs / 112kgs

International record: 13 caps (W 5, L 7, D 1)

7 Martyn WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 944)

DoB: 01.09.75.  6’0″ / 1.83m.  14st 22lbs / 94kgs

International record: 98 caps (W 42, L 53, D 3; 73 pts – 14T, 1DG)

8 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS, CAPTAIN– Cap No 1,029)

DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

International record: 53 caps (W 26, L 25, D 2; 5 pts – 1T)

REPLACEMENTS

16 Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS– Cap No 1,017)

DoB: 11.06.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 16st 8lbs / 105kgs

International record: 41 caps (W 19, L 21, D 1)

17 Ryan BEVINGTON (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,081)

DoB: 9.12.88. 6’0”/1.82m. 17st 2lb/109kgs

International record: 3 caps (W 1, L 2)

18 Andy POWELL (SALE SHARKS – Cap No 1,061)

DoB: 23.08.81. 6’4” / 1.94m. 18st 0lbs / 114kgs

International record: 17 caps (W 8, L 9)

19 Justin TIPURIC (OSPREYS)

DoB: 06.08.89. 1.88m / 6’2” 15st 10lbs / 100kgs

International record: Uncapped

20 Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Uncapped)

DoB: 30.11.89. 6’0” / 1.83m. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs

International record: Uncapped

21 Stephen JONES (SCARLETS– Cap No 966)

DoB: 08.12.77.  6’1” / 1.86m.  14st 7lbs / 92kgs

International record: 100 caps (W 40, L 56, D 3; 889 pts – 7T, 142C, 184PG, 6DG)

22 Aled BREW (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,051)

DoB: 09.08.86. 6.0” / 1.83m. 15st 2lbs / 96kgs

International record: 6 caps (W 1, L 4, D 1; 5 pts – 1T)