Warren Gatland has recalled a fit-again Jonathan Davies to the Wales line-up for this weekend’s game with New Zealand. George North moves to the wing to join Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny in the back three, meaning Liam Williams, who sustained a knock against Fiji, has to settle for a place on the bench.
Otherwise, the team is the same as the side that lost narrowly to Australia on the opening weekend of the international series earlier this month. There is no room for Gethin Jenkins, who captained the side against Fiji but sustained a hamstring strain in training, on the bench, with the young Ospreys starlet Nicky Smith preferred.
James Hook keeps his place on the bench, meaning there is no place in the 23 for Rhys Priestland.
More to follow…
WALES TEAM TO PLAY NEW ZEALAND:
Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton Saints), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys); Paul James (Bath), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Unattached), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), James Hook (Gloucester), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
So like Saul in the ‘Book of Acts’ has Gutland now experienced a real and genuine conversion?
Has WG finally seen the light?
Has he now realised that P++shand is totally useless and needs to be kept as far as possible from the Welsh team?
I suspect not…… we’ll see that idiot at least on the bench for Boks as non-Wales based players will be back at their clubs.
Roger the Dodger never learns about this 4th international he keeps arranging!!
Disappointed not to see Liam Williams starting, he should be on the wing in place of Cuthbert, playing out of his skin at the moment and is a better defender. Don’t know if JD starting against the AB’s is a good move, he has been out a while & can’t see him being up to scratch …. have to trust the coaching team though, they get to see the players every day. Here’s hoping ….
Intersting that there are few comments here. I guess, like me , there are many that are a little weary of Enoch and his abuse. spoils it for everyone. come on Enoch, grow up or shut up.