Six Nations preview: Wales v Scotland
Wales take on Scotland in a 'must win' Six Nations clash
Saturday, 13, Feb 2010 11:28
By Chris Cousens in Cardiff.
Welsh second-row Alun-Wyn Jones has been given a shot at redemption by his coach Warren Gatland today despite fearing for his international future following his infamous 'Twickenham trip'.
Jones' ill-advised use of the right leg played a key part in Wales' downfall last weekend against England. The act earned him ten minutes in the bin and whilst he sat sidelined England took the game away from the Welsh, scoring 17 unanswered points.
A very public post-match dressing down from the Wales coaching staff led Jones to think his international career could be under threat. But his good previous disciplinary record and ability to contemplate his actions during the team's week of training were enough for Gatland to give his lock a lifeline.
Under-pressure hooker Gareth Williams also retains his place and will look to improve on his 50 per cent line-out success rate at Twickenham. The Welsh make two changes with Leigh Halfpenny coming in for Tom James on the right wing and Jonathan Thomas replacing Luke Charteris in the second row. Gethin Jenkins is only fit enough to make the bench.
The build-up to the game has been blighted by a row over the Millennium Stadium roof. Scotland coach Andy Robinson has been forced to stave off claims he is bringing a kicking game to Cardiff after he asked for the stadium to remain open whatever the weather.
Robinson has said during the week that he wants to keep ball in hand, but many see the selection of Glasgow's Dan Parks at fly-half as a move towards a safer, territorial gameplan. Scotland have not won in Cardiff since 2002 and have not scored a try in their last three Tests.
Scotland's premier prop Euan Murray returns in place of Moray Low after missing last Sunday's defeat to France because of his religious beliefs. He will need to sure up the Scottish scrum, which was blitzed by the French at Murrayfield.
Elsewhere, Rory Lamont comes in on the left wing with his brother Sean shifting to provide more muscle in the midfield, replacing Max Evans at outside centre.
The day will be especially memorable for Scottish full-back Chris Paterson, who becomes the first ever Scot to notch 100 international caps.
Wales:
15. Lee Byrne (Ospreys), 14. Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), 13. James Hook (Ospreys), 12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), 11. Shane Williams (Ospreys); 10. Stephen Jones (Scarlets), 9. Gareth Cooper (Cardiff Blues);
1. Paul James (Ospreys), 2. Gareth Williams (Cardiff Blues), 3. Adam Jones (Ospreys), 4. Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), 5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), 6. Andy Powell (Cardiff Blues), 7. Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), 8. Ryan Jones (Ospreys, captain).
Replacements: Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues), Richie Rees (Cardiff Blues), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys), Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues).
Scotland:
15. Chris Paterson (Edinburgh); 14. Thom Evans (Glasgow), 13. Sean Lamont (Scarlets), 12. Graeme Morrison (Glasgow), 11. Rory Lamont (Toulon); 10. Dan Parks (Glasgow), 9. Chris Cusiter (Glasgow, captain);
1. Alastair Dickinson (Gloucester), 2. Ross Ford (Edinburgh), 3. Euan Murray (Northampton), 4. Jim Hamilton (Edinburgh), 5. Ally Kellock (Glasgow), 6. Kelly Brown (Glasgow), 7. James Barclay (Glasgow), 8. Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow).
Replacements: Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Alan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Richie Gray (Glasgow), Alan MacDonald (Edinburgh), Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Max Evans (Glasgow).