Gareth Williams is in...
7 Blues Start for Wales
Gareth Williams is in...
By Andrew Collins
February 3 2010
Warren Gatland has named seven Cardiff Blues players in his starting line up to face England at Twickenham on Saturday, with a further three on the bench...
Gareth Williams is in...
February 3 2010
Warren Gatland has named seven Cardiff Blues players in his starting line up to face England at Twickenham on Saturday, with a further three on the bench...
Perhaps the most surprising start comes for hooker Gareth Williams, who has consistently been overlooked by the team selectors. He comes in for the injured Matthew Rees, with Huw Bennett on the bench.William’s will have a familiar partner in the front row with Gethin Jenkins, while Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris make up the front five. Andy Powell carries on at flanker, as he has been for the Blues this year, while Martyn Williams and captain Ryan Jones accompany him as Wales face perhaps the most impressive England squad for several years.There’s disappointment for Ritchie Rees, who loses out on the scrum half birth to Blues colleague Gareth Cooper, despite becoming first choice at the region. He is however on the bench, and would earn his International debut should he make an appearance.Coop is partnered at half back by the ever-present Stephen Jones, while a new look centre pairing of Jamie Roberts and James Hook as Gatland looks to get more creativity from his midfield. The Welsh backs, renowned for their flair and attacking play, came under scrutiny following the Autumn Internationals where it was felt they kicked too much possession away and looked scared to run with the ball.However, Lee Bryne’s over-turned ban is undoubtedly the talking point, as arguably Wales’ most important player is once again eligible to face the auld enemy. Wales have a real issue at full back outside of the Ospreys man, and it was an area of much criticism, again, during the AI’s.Bryne’s inclusion takes a huge responsibility away from both Shane Williams and Blues wing, Tom James, selected ahead of team-mate Leigh Halfpenny. James has long been on the fringes of the Welsh squad, and has a handful of starts against the more minor nations, but this call up sees the Merthyr fell runner finally given a real chance to impress.With England selecting Mark Cueto and the giant Matt Bannahan on the wings, it’s sure to be a great contest with each boasting a reliable been-there-done-that man, and a new, up-and-coming talent!Warren Gatland said,"Gareth Williams has been in great form for his region and produced some impressive performances in recent weeks and very much deserves his chance...Andy [Powell] is looking comfortable there, in his last couple of performances for the Blues he has been error free and very strong and we are looking for him to keep that up at international level... We have 10 players in the starting line-up who were with the Lions in South Africa in the summer and now is the time for those individuals to show the confidence and leadership qualities which that trip produced."Wales Squad to face EnglandLee Byrne (Ospreys); Tom James (Blues), James Hook (Ospreys), Jamie Roberts (Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Scarlets); Gareth Cooper (Blues); Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Gareth Williams (Blues), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Dragons), Andy Powell (Blues), Martyn Williams (Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt).
Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Paul James (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Richie Rees (Blues), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys), Leigh Halfpenny (Blues).
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Stumbleupon7 Blues Start for Wales
Posted by: theArmsPark.co.uk (IP Logged)
Date: 03/02/2010 14:03
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Re: 7 Blues Start for Wales
Posted by: Huwie (IP Logged)
Date: 03/02/2010 16:04
I thought Monye and Cueto were wingers
According to the beeb Banahan isn't even on the bench.
[news.bbc.co.uk]
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:03:16:05:44 by Huwie.
According to the beeb Banahan isn't even on the bench.
[news.bbc.co.uk]
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:03:16:05:44 by Huwie.
