Gatland drops B&I Lions trio from Wales starting line-up
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales coach Warren Gatland has dropped three British and Irish Lions forwards – Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau and Justin Tipuric – from a revamped starting XV for Saturday’s Six Nations match against Scotland.
The hugely experienced trio have won nearly 350 Wales caps between them, while also making 18 Test appearances for the Lions.
Flank Tipuric and lock Jones have been omitted completely from the matchday 23 for the game at Murrayfield, with No.8 Faletau relegated to the bench.
Gatland has made the dramatic changes after his second spell as Wales coach started with a 10-34 defeat by Ireland in their Six Nations opener in Cardiff last weekend.
Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins has replaced Jones, with club colleague Christ Tshiunza packing down at blindside flank in a reshaped back-row where Leicester’s Tommy Reffell is at openside flank, with Jac Morgan moved to No.8 instead of Faletau.
Jones, who has made a world record 168 Test match appearances while representing Wales and the Lions, was fit and available after going off for a head injury assessment during the second half against Ireland.
But Gatland has handed 20-year-old Jenkins a first Test start alongside Adam Beard in the second row.
Scarlets prop Wyn Jones is recalled in place of Gareth Thomas, with tighthead Dillon Lewis replacing Tomas Francis.
Gatland retained the same back division that played against Ireland.
Scotland, who launched their Six Nations with a 29-23 win away to England, are due to name their side later Thursday.
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Josh Adams, 13 George North, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Jac Morgan, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Christ Tshiunza, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Ken Owens (captain), 1 Wyn Jones.
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Leon Brown, 19 Rhys Davies, 20 Taulupe Faletau, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Alex Cuthbert.
Date: Saturday, February 11:
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 16.45 (16.45 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Frank Murphy (Ireland), Chris Busby (Ireland)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
