Wales team to face Australia

Posted on Nov 29, 2012

Wales have made four changes – all to the pack – for the final clash of the 2012 Dove Men Series, against Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm)

In the front row Blues prop Scott Andrews, who came on for Osprey Aaron Jarvis in the first minutes of the defeat to the All Blacks last time out, is handed his second Wales start and he is joined by former Blues colleague and 93-times capped veteran prop Gethin Jenkins (now Toulon).

Jenkins, who has been released by the French club for the fixture which falls outside the IRB international window, replaces Bath’s Paul James, who by contrast has been made unavailable.

Elsewhere Ospreys lock Ian Evans completes his return from injury (knee) to replace Bradley Davies (Blues) who has been ruled out with concussion and Scarlets flanker Aaron Shingler replaces another Osprey, Ryan Jones, in the back row – with Jones retained on the bench.

The same backline which started against New Zealand last time out is selected, with Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar coming in for another player returning to his club, Perpignan’s James Hook, in one change to the backs cover provided by the bench.

Uncapped Scarlets tight-head Samson Lee has the potential to make his international debut after joining the training squad on a full time basis this week providing front row cover as a replacement alongside Ospreys prop Ryan Bevington in the final change to the match-day 23.

Lee turns 20 tomorrow (Friday), missing out on the chance to make his debut as a teenager, but he still has the opportunity to pick up the late birthday present of an international cap should he appear from the bench.

“We need to pick up again where we left off in the second half last week,”said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

“We managed to retain 73% possession after the break against the All Blacks and win the territory battle, and we need to put Australia under similar pressure from the outset.

“We have played them regularly over the last couple of years and have come close to winning on a number of occasions, but have not quite been able to get ourselves over the chalk of the finish line.

“Both sides have had injuries to cope with, but there is every reason for optimism.  The Millennium Stadium crowd will be in full voice again, they were outstanding last week, and we are aiming to reach the end of a tough series on Saturday and finish off on a high.”

WALES: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Liam Williams; Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Scott Andrews, Ian Evans, Luke Charteris, Aaron Shingler, Sam Warburton (captain), Toby Faletau
REPLACEMENTS: Ken Owens, Ryan Bevington, Samson Lee, Ryan Jones, Justin Tipuric, Tavis Knoyle, Dan Biggar, Scott Williams

 

(more…)

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

(more…)

Internationals to be hosted in North Wales

Posted on Sep 19, 2012

Samoa have been handed a boost to preparations for their Millennium Stadium clash with Wales this Autumn with the news they will face Canada in the inaugural IRB International Rugby Series at Eirias, Colwyn Bay, a week earlier, on Friday, 9 November.

A major coup for the home of North Wales rugby sees the South Sea Islanders take on the Cannucks in the second fixture of back-to-back matches at the 6,000 capacity venue, which start with Russia against USA (kick-off 18.00).

Just over a week later, on Saturday 17 November, another double-header comes to town when Tonga face USA (18.00) followed by Canada versus Russia, with the fixtures being seen as a major boost for rugby development plans in the area by the Welsh Rugby Union.

Samoa head to the Welsh capital on Friday, 16 November for the clash with coach Rob Howley’s side for the second match of their own four match series (Wales begin the Dove Men Challenge with an opening clash against Argentina before taking on Samoa, then New Zealand and Australia on successive weekends).

The Autumn Series is already a tough prospect for Wales, with the Pumas growing in stature during their debut season in the Rugby Championship and the size of the task against the Wallabies and All Blacks unquestioned – and now Samoa can ensure they will be fully up to speed with international rugby by the time they get to Cardiff.

But Welsh rugby bosses know Howley and his side will not shy away from the challenge and they are particularly pleased with the news that Eirias has been recognised as an international venue of note by the IRB.

Rupert Moon, WRU General Manager of the North Wales Development Region said: “There is a huge appetite for rugby in North Wales and to have an international series like this at Eirias is a massive shot in the arm for the venue.

“We will get a first look at Samoa the week before they take on Wales in Cardiff and will also have the privilege of watching some great players from Canada, Russia and Tonga. North Wales will have a real international flavour over the course of this IRB International Rugby Series and it is a great compliment to Eirias that it has been chosen to host a series of matches of this pedigree.”

WRU Head of Rugby Joe Lydon said: “We are delighted that North Wales and specifically Eirias has been selected as the venue for these international games. We are extremely grateful to our colleagues at the IRB for recognising the hard work that has gone into creating a Rugby venue in the north which is capable of hosting matches of this stature.

“Our recent experience of hosting Wales U20 Six Nations home matches at Eirias proved there was a tremendous following for Rugby in this area. We are certain the rugby public of North Wales will fully support this initiative and give the visiting teams a great welcome.”

(more…)

WELSH RUGBY NEWS: Autumn International Tickets for sale through Tesco

Posted on Aug 29, 2012

Tickets for Wales’ upcoming internationals at the Millennium Stadium are now on public sale at Tesco stores throughout Wales.

The local supermarkets are selling tickets from their customer service desks for the home fixtures against Argentina (Saturday, 10 November) and Samoa (Friday, 16 November) across 31 stores in Wales.

The service gives fans instant access to tickets to the Dove Men Autumn Series at the home of Welsh sport without the booking fees and postal charges associated with internet ticketing outlets.

Fans can watch Wales kick-off their Autumn campaign against the mighty Pumas for £30 for adults and £10 for children. For the family-friendly fixture against Samoa, adults tickets are priced at £25 and a family of four can watch the game for £70 with no extra charges.       

The WRU ticketing initiative has already proved popular with Tesco customers, allowing over 12,000 rugby fans to get their hands on tickets to Welsh rugby internationals last season.

WRU Head of Sales and Marketing Craig Maxwell is delighted launch the initiative at Tesco stores which – together with the sale of tickets at WRU member clubs – makes it more convenient for rugby communities to get their hands on Millennium Stadium tickets.

“Working with Tesco stores, we can get tickets to rugby internationals directly to our supporters and provide them with the most convenient route into the Millennium Stadium to support the team,” said Mr Maxwell. 

“By extending the accessibility of the brand outside of the traditional outlets we’ve made progress over recent years to dispel the idea that tickets are not on sale to the public for Wales’ home internationals.”

(more…)

Halfpenny reaches points milestone–team announced

Posted on Jun 21, 2012

Leigh Halfpenny’s 13-point haul last week means he has broken into the top 10 list of all-time points scorers in Welsh international rugby. The Blues full back and wing goes straight in at number eight ahead of 1970s fly half Phil Bennett with 168 points in just 34 internationals.

He now needs 33 points to progress above Gareth Thomas who is in seventh, but is some way off his mentor and kicking coach Neil Jenkins, who heads the list with 1,049 points.

Meanwhile, Wales field an unchanged side for the third Test of their Australian tour at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Saturday (kick-off 3.05pm local time).

The same starting XV which led the Wallabies for the majority of the match in Melbourne last weekend – only to be denied by the last-minute penalty which made the home side 25-23 victors – has been handed a repeat chance to notch up Wales’ first victory on Australian soil since 1969.

The replacements’ bench shows one change with Scarlets hooker Ken Owens, who started the first Test two weeks ago in Brisbane, coming in to replace Ospreys front rower Richard Hibbard, who misses out on this occasion.

“We know what we have to do to beat Australia, but there is a difference between knowing how to win and achieving that aim,” said Wales caretaker head coach Rob Howley.

“This Wales team was within around 30 seconds of beating the Wallabies on their home patch for the first time in 43 years, the challenge now is to go one better than that and make sure we are ahead on the scoreboard, not just when the hooter goes, but when the game finishes this weekend.

“The players can take some credit for the way they played for the large part of the match on Saturday, but that will be scant consolation if we don’t come home with a win in this Series.

“We have risen to our highest position (4th) in the IRB World rankings because of our performances so far this season, which can have positive repercussions for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but now we want to stay there and that means coming away with the spoils on Saturday afternoon.”

Wales’ leading points scorers (all time):Neil Jenkins 1,049, Stephen Jones 917, James Hook 346, Paul Thorburn 304, Shane Williams 290, Arwel Thomas 211, Gareth Thomas 200, Leigh Halfpenny 168, Phil Bennett 166, Ieuan Evans 157

WALES: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Ashley Beck, George North; Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (Captain), Ryan Jones

REPLACEMENTS: Ken Owens, Paul James, Luke Charteris, Justin Tipuric, Rhys Webb, James Hook, Scott Williams

(more…)