Halfpenny in as Jones keeps place
Alun-Wyn Jones keeps his place in the Welsh XV for the Scotland home match in the Six Nations
Tuesday, 09, Feb 2010 01:12
By Alistair Potter.
Wales will be bolstered by the return of Lions winger Leigh Halfpenny for the visit of Scotland this weekend while head coach Warren Gatland has kept faith with second row Alun-Wyn Jones.
Jones was sin-binned midway during the first half of Wales' Six Nations opener against England at Twickenham and while he was off the field the hosts scored 17 unanswered points to effectively put the match beyond Gatland's side.
Afterwards the coach threatened to wield the axe after seeing replays showing the second row's ill-advised trip right in front of the referee.
But instead it is lock Luke Charteris who is dropped in favour of Jones' Ospreys team-mate Jonathan Thomas.
Halfpenny, who was named among the replacements for the England game, is drafted into the XV in place of Blues colleague Tom James.
"Jonathan brings over 50 caps of experience to the tight five and offers us some extra mobility around the field," explained Gatland.
"Leigh is a recognised right wing who offers us an extra kicking option and his return to full fitness after limited training in the run up to the England game allows his selection.
Wales' bench is also bolstered by the addition of two experienced players in the form of front-row Gethin Jenkins, who missed the England game through injury, and centre Tom Shanklin.
"We think we have a very strong bench with the right mix of players each able to make an impact if called upon and are pleased to be able to name Gethin, although he will undergo further fitness assessments later in the week," Gatland continued.
"Tom Shanklin returns to provide another 65-caps' worth of experience as cover for the backs.
"We were all disappointed with the result last weekend but the good news for these players is that they have an opportunity now, just seven days after losing a game we all feel we could have won, to bounce back against Scotland.
"The championship is by no means over and we are back home at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday looking to kick-start our campaign.
"This is a must win game for us and the Millennium Stadium factor will have a big part to play, as will the fans, and we are all very much looking forward to coming home."
Full Wales team to face Scotland on Saturday February 13th:
Lee Byrne; Leigh Halfpenny, James Hook, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Gareth Cooper; Paul James, Gareth Williams, Adam Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Alun Wyn Jones, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones (captain)
REPLACEMENTS: Huw Bennett, Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies, Sam Warburton, Richie Rees, Andrew Bishop, Tom Shanklin