Ryan captains Wales again as Warburton and Priestland drop to bench

Posted on Nov 14, 2012

Ryan Jones will lead Wales for a record 29th time in the Dove Men Series clash with Samoa at the Millennium Stadium on Friday night (Kick-off 7.30pm).

Jones takes the record from Ieuan Evans and is handed the armband after squad captain Sam Warburton has been moved to the bench in one of five changes to the forward pack made for the visit of the South Sea Islanders.

A total of eight changes have been made to the starting line-up which went down to Argentina in the series opener, with three of those enforced through injury and the rest largely due to a desire from the coaches to make full use of their squad for the series.

Up front Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric takes over from Warburton with fellow Osprey Jones also joining the back row in place of the injured Josh Turnbull (Scarlets). Blues lock Bradley Davies comes into the second row in place of the injured Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) – with both Turnbull and Jones ruled out for the rest of the series.

Osprey Richard Hibbard starts in the front row, replacing Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees, who was unavailable for selection this week with a calf problem. Bath prop Paul James completes the changes up front replacing Toulon’s Gethin Jenkins, who provides cover from the bench.

In the backs Mike Phillips (Bayonne) replaces Scarlets scrum half Tavis Knoyle and Osprey Dan Biggar comes in for Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland. Finally Ashley Beck (Ospreys) completes his return from a hip injury to partner Jamie Roberts (in the centre) in place of Scarlet Scott Williams – with all three Scarlets players included in the reserves.

Scarlets hooker Ken Owens and Blues prop Scott Andrews provide the front row cover on the bench and Perpignan lock Luke Charteris completes the reserves.

“With a short six day turnaround it was important for us to freshen things up and also make use of the competition for places we have within this squad,something which has been a key ingredient for the success of the squad over the last 18 months,” said Wales interim head coach Rob Howley.

"In making changes we also needed to bring in some genuine experience. It is important to have leaders throughout the team and we are hoping the likes of Mike Phillips, who made a positive impact last week, can bring his experience to the side.

“Ryan reaches an impressive personal milestone, it will be a huge honour for him but in the context of what happened last week his and the team’s priorities are about producing a performance.

“We know we are under pressure to perform and that pressure is greatest from within. This squad has shown in the past that we have the character and resilience to get back to winning ways. We have every confidence that we will come back strongly on Friday night.”

If Wales beat Samoa on Friday night Ryan Jones will take another record, this time of his interim head coach Howley – the pair currently share top billing with 15 wins each as captain.

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Ashley Beck, Jamie Roberts, George North; Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Aaron Jarvis, Bradley Davies, Ian Evans, Ryan Jones (Capt), Justin Tipuric, Toby Faletau
Replacements: Ken Owens, Gethin Jenkins, Scott Andrews, Luke Charteris, Sam Warburton, Tavis Knoyle, Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams

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The Welsh squad for the AI’s and Rhyfel’s best starting selection

Posted on Oct 22, 2012

Discuss this in the forum. Rob Howley has named a 35-man Wales squad to contest the 2012 Dove Men Series at the Millennium Stadium this autumn which includes just one uncapped player and the returning Jamie Roberts.

Howley, Wales’ interim head coach in the absence of Warren Gatland, has selected six players who did not figure in his original 34-man summer tour squad to Australia, including talismanic Blues centre Roberts, with Ospreys tight-head prop Aaron Jarvis the only potential debutant.

Jarvis is one of six props named – only five travelled down under in the summer, which accounts for the larger contingent this time – with fellow Osprey Ryan Bevington and Blues front row Scott Andrews recalled to join incumbents Adam Jones (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Toulon) and Paul James (Bath).

Scarlets pair Rob McCusker (flanker) and Tavis Knoyle (scrum half) both also return to the fold alongside Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar, whilst Blues flanker Sam Warburton is retained as captain.

Knoyle returns in place of Ospreys scrum half Rhys Webb and Biggar alongside Roberts completes the 15-man backs contingent with Aled Brew (Biarritz Olympique) and Andrew Bishop (Ospreys) the players missing out.

Scarlets prop Rhodri Jones (shoulder), Exeter Chiefs prop Craig Mitchell (bicep) and Dragons back row Dan Lydiate (ankle) were unavailable due to injury.

Wales begin their campaign against Argentina on Saturday, 10 November, before facing Samoa the following Friday evening.

The arrival of New Zealand in Cardiff ahead of their clash with Wales on Saturday, 24 November will coincide with Gatland’s return to the national squad coaching staff.

He re-joins the squad for the clash with the All Blacks and to see them face the Wallabies in the series climax on 1 December, before returning to British & Irish Lions duties and leaving Howley in full charge once again for the 2013 RBS 6 Nations Championship.

"We are really pleased with the strength and depth of the squad with some pleasing individual performances over the last three or four weeks, but we all understand and realize the skill, physicality and intensity will go up over the next five weeks,” said Howley.

“This is one of the reasons we are going back to our training camp in Poland to sharpen minds and bodies.

“Argentina are first up and after the experience they have gained in the Rugby Championship they will be a challenging and tough opponent, but this is a challenge we will look forward too.

“We know how important momentum is going into any series and the bigger picture is the Rugby World Cup draw at the beginning of December and how we perform against the Pumas, Samoa, the All Blacks and the Wallabies will have a direct effect on our seeding in that draw.

“We need a successful November to back up our performances at the RWC in New Zealand and the Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year and we are determined to achieve it.”

The Wales squad will begin their preparations for the Dove Men Series with a week’s training camp in Spala, Poland, beginning this Sunday, 28 October – the same Olympic training village which they visited prior to the 2011 RWC.

The Welsh squad for the Autumn Internationals announced by Rob Howley today is:

Backs: L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets), A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), G North (Scarlets), H Robinson (Cardiff Blues), A Beck (Ospreys), J Davies (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Scarlets), D Biggar (Ospreys), J Hook (Perpignan), R Priestland (Scarlets), T Knoyle (Scarlets), M Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues).

Forwards: S Andrews (Cardiff Blues), R Bevington (Ospreys), P James (Bath), A Jarvis (Ospreys), G Jenkins (Toulon), A Jones (Ospreys), R Hibbard (Ospreys), K Owens (Scarlets), M Rees (Scarlets), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), L Charteris (Perpignan), I Evans (Ospreys), A-W Jones (Ospreys), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Jones (Ospreys), R McCusker (Scarlets), A Shingler (Scarlets), J Tipuric (Ospreys), J Turnbull (Scarlets), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt).

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Blues make five changes for Ospreys derby

Posted on Apr 13, 2012

Cardiff Blues have made five changes ahead of their big Welsh derby match against the Ospreys.

There are three changes in the backs to the team that lost to Leinster, with Harry Robinson returning from Wales 7’s duties to start on the wing in place of Tom James, who is out with a neck injury. Gavin Evans, who this week announced he has signed a new two year deal with the Blues, starts at outside centre with Casey Laulala moving to the bench. Ceri Sweeney starts at 10 with Dan Parks also moving to the bench.

There are two changes in the forwards with John Yapp replacing Gethin Jenkins who is out with shoulder injury and Luke Hamilton, who makes his RaboDirect debut, starting at Number 8 instead of Xavier Rush who is out with a neck injury. There is no place for Chris Czekaj in the 23.

The Blues will be looking to get back to winning ways and take on an Ospreys side that have won their last two games in the RaboDirect PRO12 against Leinster and Treviso.

Speaking ahead of the match Cardiff Blues Backs Coach, Gareth Baber, said:

“This weekend’s match is sure to be another heated Welsh derby with the Ospreys looking to get a win that will keep them in the top two of the RaboDirect PRO12 table.”

“Knowing this and the frustration from not having a long run of wins behind us has really motivated the team this week to play a good game.”

“The Ospreys have a great group of players and we know it will be a tough battle.”

“However, we will be looking for a big response from the Blues players.”

CARDIFF BLUES v OSPREYS

At Cardiff City Stadium, 6.30pm.

15 Leigh Halfpenny 14 Alex Cuthbert 13 Gavin Evans12 Dafydd Hewitt 11 Harry Robinson 10 Ceri Sweeney 9 Lloyd Williams

8 Luke Hamilton 7 Martyn Williams 6 Michael Paterson 5 James Down 4 Bradley Davies (c) 3 Sam Hobbs 2 Marc Breeze 1 John Yapp

Replacements

16 Kristian Dacey 17 Nathan Trevett 18 Ryan Harford 19 Josh Navidi 20 Maama Molitika 21 Richie Rees 22 Dan Parks 23 Casey Laulala

Not available for selection

Gethin Jenkins – shoulder

Tom James – neck

Xavier Rush – neck

Ryan Tyrrel – neck

Jamie Roberts – knee

Sam Warburton – shoulder

T Rhys Thomas – neck

Paul Tito – head

Richard Mustoe – hip

Fau Filise – shoulder

Andries Pretorius – knee

Deiniol Jones – shoulders

Wales team to play the Wallabies: Shane first name on the sheet

Posted on Dec 1, 2011

Shane Williams was the first name on the team sheet today – as promised by Wales head coach Warren Gatland – when the side was announced to take on Australia in the Dove Men Challenge match at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm).

Williams is one of nine players retained in the starting line-up from the third-place Rugby World Cup play-off defeat to the Wallabies early last month, with just two starters selected from outside of the Wales 30-man squad which reached the semi-finals in New Zealand.

Ospreys second row Ian Evans returns to the starting line-up after a three year absence, having last featured under Gatland against New Zealand in November 2008, and Blues prop Scott Andrews – who was part of the preliminary RWC training squad – makes his first start.

Evans replaces Dragons lock Luke Charteris, originally named in the Wales squad for this match but now ruled out with a wrist injury.  Andrews is in for Adam Jones who was ruled out with a calf problem last week.

Captain Sam Warburton (Blues) returns in the back row, replacing Osprey Ryan Jones, who moves to the bench, with Dragon Toby Faletau reverting to his normal position at No 8.

In the backs a groin problem has also ruled out Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies and he is replaced by his Regional colleague Scott Williams.  Blues scrum half Lloyd Williams replaces the unavailable Mike Phillips but elsewhere the Wales coaches have been able to name the same back line which finished the World Cup so strongly.

On the bench Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees completes his return from the shoulder problem which ruled him out of the RWC squad at the last minute, Ospreys outside half Dan Biggar returns alongside his regional colleague, flanker Justin Tipuric, and uncapped Blues wing Alex Cuthbert is also named.

“It does not often happen in professional sport that a player gets the opportunity to call time on his international career then play one last match like this one in front of his home fans and the people he has given so much joy and entertainment to,” said Gatland.

“Saturday is a great opportunity for the fans to show Shane what he has meant to them and we all hope to send him off on the right note.

“But as we remember the highs and lows of New Zealand and the World Cup the focus must now be to build for the next four years, the immediate future of the 6 Nations next year and towards the 2015 World Cup, with players like Scott Andrews, Ian Evans and Lloyd Williams with an immediate opportunity to impress and also the likes of Justin Tipuric, Dan Biggar and Alex Cuthbert with a chance from the bench.”

WALES: Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams, Rhys Priestland, Lloyd Williams; Gethin Jenkins, Huw Bennett, Scott Andrews, Bradley Davies, Ian Evans, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (C), Toby Faletau
REPLACEMENTS: Matthew Rees, Ryan Bevington, Ryan Jones, Justin Tipuric, Tavis Knoyle, Dan Biggar, Alex Cuthbert

WALES

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

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

  International record: 26 caps (W 12, L 14; 72 pts – 9T, 9PG)

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

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

  International record: 15 caps (W 6, L 8, D 1; 45 pts – 9T)

  13 Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,084)

  DoB: 10.10.90. 6’0” / 1.83m. 15st 3lbs / 97kgs

  International record: 7 caps (W 4, L 3; 20 pts – 4T)

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

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

  International record: 38 caps (W 18, L 20; 20 pts – 4T)

  11 Shane WILLIAMS (OSPREYS – Cap No 976)

  DoB: 26.02.77. 5’7” / 1.71m. 12st 1lb / 77kgs

  International record: 86 caps (W 41, L 43, D 2; 285 pts – 57T)

  10 Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,080)

  DoB: 07.01.87 1.82m / 6’0”. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs

  International record: 9 caps (W 6, L 3; 42 pts – 12C, 6PG)

  9 Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,087)

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

  International record: 4 caps (W 3, L 1; 10 pts – 2T)

  1 Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,006)

  DoB: 17.11.80. 6’2” / 1.88m. 18st 9lbs / 118kgs

  International record: 82 caps (W 37, L 43, D 2; 20 pts – 4T)

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

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

  International record: 48 caps (W 23, L 24, D 1)

  3 Scott ANDREWS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,083)

  DoB: 01.08.89. 6’2” / 1.88m. 18st 7lbs / 117kgs

  International record: 1 cap (L 1)

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

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

  International record: 31 caps (W 14, L 16, D 1)

  5 Ian EVANS (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,045)

  DoB: 04.10.84. 6’8” / 2.04m. 18st 3lbs / 116kgs

  International record: 16 caps (W 6, L 9, D 1; 5 pts – 1T)

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

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

  International record: 19 caps (W 8, L 10, D 1)

  7 Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,070)

  DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6’2”. 16st 4lbs / 103kgs

  International record: 23 caps (W 12, L 11; 10 pts – 2T)

  8 Toby FALETAU (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,082)

  DoB: 12.11.90. 1.88m / 6’2”. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs

  International record: 10 caps (W 5, L 5; 10 pts – 2T)

  REPLACEMENTS

  16 Matthew REES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,033)

  DoB: 09.12.80. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 1lbs / 108kgs

  International record: 47 caps (W 20, L 26, D 1; 10 pts – 2T)

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

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

  International record: 6 caps (W 3, L 3)

  18 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,029)

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

  International record: 57 caps (W 28, L 27, D 2; 5 pts – 1T)

  19 Justin TIPURIC (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,086)

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

  International record: 1 cap (W 1)

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

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

  International record: 6 caps (W 3, L 3)

  21 Dan BIGGAR (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,063)

  DoB: 16.10.89. 6’2” / 1.88m. 14st 1lbs / 89kgs

  International record: 8 caps (W 4, L 3, D 1; 52 pts – 8C, 12PG)

  22 Alex CUTHBERT (CARDIFF BLUES – Uncapped)

  DoB: 05.04.90. 6’6” / 1.98m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs

  International record: Uncapped

Hook joins the party

Posted on Oct 13, 2011

Wales starting line-up for semi-final against France

Wales have made one change to the starting line-up which triumphed over Ireland last weekend for the 2011 Rugby World Cup semi-final clash with France at Eden Park on Saturday (Kick-off 9pm).

Perpignan-bound James Hook replaces Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland.

Priestland injured his shoulder during Wales’ impressive 22-10 quarter-final victory over the Irish in Wellington last Saturday.  He was not considered for selection this week and will now continue his rehabilitation over the next few days with a view to returning next week.

On the bench 102-times capped Scarlets fly-half Stephen Jones comes in for the promoted Hook, who himself brings 57 caps worth of experience to side.

“Time was against Rhys, but we are happy that we have the talent and ability elsewhere in the squad to cover him,”said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

“Rhys has done everything we have asked of him and more during this World Cup, but, when we have players of the calibre and experience of James Hook and Stephen Jones coming into the squad and starting line-up, there is no sense that Rhys’s absence leaves us any weaker.

“We know that the people in Wales and the fans that have travelled here are excited about reaching the semi-finals of the world cup and we are too, but beating France on Saturday must be and will be our sole focus.

“The time to reflect and to celebrate will come if we win our next two matches, until that happens our focus on the task ahead must be absolute.”

WALES: Leigh Halfpenny;  George North, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams, James Hook, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (C), Toby Faletau

REPLACEMENTS: Lloyd Burns, Paul James, Bradley Davies, Ryan Jones, Lloyd Williams, Stephen Jones, Scott Williams.

WALES

15 Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,060)
DoB: 22.12.88. 5’10” / 1.77m. 13st 2lbs / 83kgs
International record: 24 caps (W 12, L 12; 70 pts – 8T, 10PG)

14 George NORTH (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,078)
DoB: 13.04.92. 6’4” / 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs
International record: 13 caps (W 6, L 6, D 1; 45 pts – 9T)

13 Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,066)
DoB: 05.04.88. 6’1” / 1.86m. 16st 3lb / 103kgs
International record: 19 caps (W 11, L 8; 25 pts – 5T)

12 Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,057)
DoB: 08.11.86.  6’4” / 1.93m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 36 caps (W 18, L 18; 20 pts – 4T)

11 Shane WILLIAMS (OSPREYS – Cap No 976)
DoB: 26.02.77. 5’7” / 1.71m. 12st 1lb / 77kgs
International record: 84 caps (W 41, L 41, D 2; 280 pts – 56T)

10 James HOOK (PERPIGNAN – Cap No 1,047)
DoB: 27.06.85. 6’0” / 1.83m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs
International record: 57 caps (W 25, L 30, D 2; 320 pts – 12T, 40C, 56PG, 4DG

9 Mike PHILLIPS (BAYONNE – Cap No 1,022)
DoB: 29.08.82. 6’3” / 1.91m. 15st 10lb / 101kgs
International record: 58 caps (W 28, L 28, D 2; 35 pts – 7T)

1 Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,006)
DoB: 17.11.80. 6’2” / 1.88m. 18st 9lbs / 118kgs
International record: 80 caps (W 37, L 41, D 2; 20 pts – 4T)

2 Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,017)
DoB: 11.06.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 16st 8lbs / 105kgs
International record: 46 caps (W 23, L 22, D 1)

3 Adam JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,018)
DoB: 08.03.81. 6’0” / 1.83m. 18st 12lb / 120kgs
International record: 74 caps (W 35, L 36, D 3; 10 pts – 2T)

4 Luke CHARTERIS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,030)
DoB: 09.03.83. 6’9” / 2.06m. 19st 10lbs / 125kgs
International record: 30 caps (W 16, L 14)

5 Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,046)
DoB: 19.09.85. 6’5” / 1.96m. 18st 10lbs / 119kgs
International record: 57 caps (W 25, L 32; 35 pts – 7T)

6 Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,071)
DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6’4”. 17st 10lbs / 112kgs
International record: 17 caps (W 8, L 8, D 1)

7 Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,070)
DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6’2”. 16st 4lbs / 103kgs
International record: 22 caps (W 12, L 10; 10 pts – 2T)

8 Toby FALETAU (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,082)
DoB: 12.11.90. 1.88m / 6’2”. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 8 caps (W 5, L 3; 10 pts – 2T)

REPLACEMENTS

16 Lloyd BURNS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,085)
DoB: 09.12.84. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 0lbs / 108kgs
International record: 6 caps (W 4, L 2; 5 pts – 1T)

17 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)
DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1” / 1.86m. 18st 2lbs / 115kgs
International record: 29 caps (W 12, L 16, D 1)

18 Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065)
DoB: 09.01.87.  6’6” / 1.98m. 19st 1lbs / 121kgs
International record: 29 caps (W 13, L 14, D 1)

19 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,029)
DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 55 caps (W 28, L 25, D 2; 5 pts – 1T)

20 Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,087)
DoB: 30.11.89. 6’0” / 1.83m. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs
International record: 3 caps (W 3; 10 pts – 2T)

21 Stephen JONES (SCARLETS– Cap No 966)
DoB: 08.12.77.  6’1” / 1.86m.  14st 7lbs / 92kgs
International record: 102 caps (W 42, L 56, D 3; 912 pts – 7T, 152C, 185PG, 6DG)

22 Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,084)
DoB: 10.10.90. 6’0” / 1.83m. 15st 3lbs / 97kgs
International record: 6 caps (W 4, L 2; 20 pts – 4T)