Ruthless Gatland changes three
Tom Shanklin recalled to Wales starting lineup to face Scotland
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Tuesday, 05, Feb 2008 06:44
Wales coach Warren Gatland has showed his ruthless streak by making three changes to the team that beat England in their opening Six Nations match.
Cardiff Blues wing Jamie Roberts is set to make his international debut against Scotland on Saturday, replacing Llanelli Scarlets' Mark Jones.
Tom Shanklin is set to start at outside centre in place of Ospreys star Sonny Parker, for whom Shanklin came on as a replacement in the 26-19 win at Twickenham.
Injured lock Alun Wyn Jones is the other man involved in the Enland victory to miss out on the starting XV - he is replaced by Ospreys team-mate Ian Evans.
Among the substitutes Gareth Delve is a surprise replacement for Alix Popham, who impressed when he came on in the second half at the weekend.
Deiniol Jones is included on the bench after Evans' promotion to the starting lineup.
And scrum-half Dwayne Peel, who is returning from injury, replaces Gareth Cooper as understudy to Twickenham try-scorer Mike Phillips.
Commenting on his selection, Gatland said: "When you beat England at Twickenham you don't feel the need to make changes to a winning side, but there are areas we think we can improve.
"Scotland will be hurting from their defeat to France last week and they will come to Cardiff targeting a win.
"They may feel they will find us in complacent mood after such a great result in Twickenham, but nothing could be further from the truth.
"We enjoyed the win, but 24 hours later we were straight back to business.
"We know we need to improve, Scotland will want to bounce back and we need a better performance this weekend if we are to achieve what we want from the game."
The match between Wales and Scotland kicks off at the Millennium Stadium at 14:00 GMT this Saturday.
Full Wales team:
Lee Byrne, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin, Gavin Henson, Shane Williams, James Hook, Mike Phillips; Duncan Jones, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones, Ian Gough, Ian Evans, Jonathan Thomas, Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones.
Replacements: Matthew Rees, Gethin Jenkins, Deiniol Jones, Gareth Delve, Dwayne Peel, Stephen Jones, Sonny Parker.