Jones slots into Welsh second row
Ryan Jones will take the place of banned lock Bradley Davies in the Wales team for the Six Nations international against Scotland on Sunday.
Former captain Jones was moved from blindside flank in the team named by coach Warren Gatland on Thursday after Davies was banned for the remainder of the tournament for his dangerous tip tackle on Ireland’s Donnacha Ryan during Wales’s nailbiting 23-21 tournament opening win in Dublin last weekend.
World Cup semifinalists Wales were boosted by the news that back row forward Dan Lydiate has recovered from an ankle injury to reclaim his position at blindside, while captain Sam Warburton and prop Gethin Jenkins are both due to start after fitness concerns.
Openside flank Warburton had to go off at half-time at Lansdowne Road because of a leg injury, while Jenkins was troubled by a knee problem that forced him to miss last weekend’s match.
Jenkins is set to win his 84th cap on Sunday after replacing Saracens loosehead Rhys Gill, who does not feature in the matchday 22 with Paul James providing prop cover on a bench featuring uncapped Scarlets lock Lou Reed.
“Gethin brings a wealth of experience to the team, which is the main reason we have brought him in for Rhys, who is unlucky to miss out, with Paul James covering both sides of the scrum from the bench,” Gatland said Thursday.
“Dan’s return from injury is timely, and Ryan’s versatility allows us to cover for Bradley with minimum disruption, with Lou Reed also giving us an extra option from the bench,” the New Zealander added.
Unsurprisingly, Gatland has retained the same back division that created three tries against Ireland, with centre Jonathan Davies crossing twice and teenage wing George North also going over for a five-pointer.
The Welsh will be looking to inflict fresh misery upon a Scotland side who haven’t won in Cardiff for 10 years and whose 13-6 defeat by England at Murrayfield last weekend was their fourth successive match without a try.
However, Gatland warned his side to beware the Scots, who earlier this week brought in flyhalf Gregor Laidlaw following the sudden international retirement of Dan Parks and who will have Geoff Cross up front as prop Euan Murray’s Christian beliefs prevent him from playing on a Sunday.
“We cannot afford to underestimate Scotland,” Gatland said.
“The amount of possession and territory they had against England last weekend meant that they should have won the game, and they will come to the Millennium Stadium buoyed by that knowledge.”
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Ryan Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Paul James, 18 Lou Reed, 19 Andy Powell, 20 Lloyd Williams, 21 James Hook, 22 Scott Williams.
Date: Sunday, February 12
Venue: Millenium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 15.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland), Simon McDowell (Ireland)
TMO: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
AFP
