Captain Sam Warburton returns to the Wales side for Saturday’s key clash with England, as does second row Alun Wyn Jones after recovering from a dislocated toe. The tournament favourites also pick George North again on the left wing, after the winger was carried off against Scotland with an ankle injury.
Wales:
15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. Alex Cuthbert, 13. Jonathan Davies, 12. Jamie Roberts, 11. George North, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Mike Phillips, 1. Gethin Jenkins, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Adam Jones, 4. Alun Wyn Jones, 5. Ian Evans, 6. Dan Lydiate, 7. Sam Warburton (c), 8. Toby Faletau
Replacements:
16. Richard Hibbard, 17. Paul James, 18. Ryan Jones, 19. Justin Tipuric, 20. Lloyd Williams, 21. James Hook, 22. Scott Williams
Very happy with those choses, looking forward to it!
I love watching Wales play, they’re my favourite team to watch in this six nations so far (thats a massive compliment coming from an englishman haha). But yes, they’re not as complete as everyone believes. Lineout has been a shambles and is an area England must surely be targeting, of course, Alun Wyn has been brough in to help remedy that. Philips is the tallets scrum-half playing in the tournament, the only problem with that is since he’s taller he has bigger arms which have to be moved further, hence slow pass. He’s hard to target because he’s so big and strong (much like all of the Welsh backline) but he does crack sometimes. The backrow is very impressive. Come the next six nations I expect Wales to have one of the most complete back rows in world rugby. If I was England I’d put pressure on Priestland and Halfpenny. If Priestland starts to crumble that makes Roberts much less effective, as Roberts relies on his understanding of Priestland to get the timing of the pass right, which allows him to go rampaging up the field, get Wales on the front foot and from there, quick ball to the rest of the backs. Roberts is the key to the Welsh attack. Halfpenny isn’t perfect under the high ball, putting pressure on him may yield a few mistakes which will give England an excellent chance to pressure the all-important Welsh pack which provides the platform that Priestland and co thrive off.
I hope this game is a corker.
Being a Welshman i hope all the comments become reality, i feel Wales are far from the finished article, poor out of hand kicking, poor decision making and their line outs have to improve – and Mike Phillips frightens me to death when he messes around at the foot of the scrum. If and it is in my opinion a big if, England back row hassles Phillips and disrupts Priestland feed to the three quarters – compete at all Wales lineouts then England can obviously win. Wales have been fortunate and have had the run of the green in both games to date ( although about time ) and could quite easily have been going into this game without a win. This has been a weak 6 nations and Wales have had there moments of brilliance and are winning – a continued improvement performance is required for Wales to compete with the southern hemisphere Teams – and Wales have had good seasons in the past. I hope this time it is not another Welsh false dawn and they continue to progress, i for one at present a very happy Welsman at this moment in time.
Wales need to have their top 30 players under central contract with the WRU or this may be the last 6 nations we are able to compete in – make the most of it Wales
amathus for a happy compatriot you are sounding pretty pessimistic!
I think all neutral commentators believed that Wales deserved to win both opening games .The Scots huffed and puffed with the ball but only scored when Wales were out of sight .I think the penalty at the death against Ireland was fortunate but look at the play from inside our 22 which got us into that position and it was hardly good fortune that seemed to disallow a perfectly good Ryan Jones try just because there was no right camera angle .
I would like to see top Welsh players playing for the regions but if they go abroad this will give youngsters a chance and the “stars” are still available to Wales in any event. Rhys Gill’s path for instance was blocked at the Blues by Gethin Jenkins but he’s stepped up now as one for the future with Saracens so who’s to say this will not be repeated . It seems to me that the regions will also now throw less money away on overseas players too which is a positive.
Glass half full mun at the moment not half empty .
Hi Pontylad, i agree with alot you have said, like i said it’s about time we had the run of the green, it’s about time. I think Wales deserved their wins but to be honest against two average teams on the day. Smiling, i am a little pessimistic but that comes from the roller coaster ride us welsh fans have experienced over the years. The Team deserve the praise they are getting at present, but lets not get carried away with thinking they are anything but a good side with a potential of being great. I hope your right, but i can see one of the regions becoming deleted, must get central contracts thou.
Oh my glass is half full and making the most of it. One more thing, i am still the only one who stands at the National Anthem in my local, is this the same for you lol. I also think Wales will win comfortably if we win our own set pieces -
Hi amathus I’ll burst into tears in my own living room let alone stand up in the pub when the anthem starts. When I go to the Millenium Stadium one my pet hates are people who wander in late half way through the anthems with a tray of beer -a time and a place.
THis side haven’t won anything yet but I do believe at last that a foundation is in place for more than a flash in the pan success like 2005 or 2008 good as those Slams were .
It wouldn’t be Welsh rugby though without a bit of a roller-coaster which this regional rugby financial crises business is supplying at the moment ,anyway here’s to a good one on Saturday and have a pint in that local from me !
Pleased to hear it, i am the same, not only in my living room, in the pub and the stadium. Yeh, i will have a pint from you, maybe bump into each other at the stadium when we maybe celebrating ( won’t say the fatel words quite yet ) and i will buy you a bucket of the drink of your choice.
Just seen the England team – game – on i think.
Agree with the game analysis… and I may be biased for being a Newport boy… but Toby Felatau. Facilitating plays, smashing through lines and creating opportunity… a true asset
England do not create much but they do not concede much.