Gatland rotates squad ahead of Pumas clash
The Millennium Stadium will host Saturday's heavyweight clash between Wales and Argentina
Tuesday, 17, Nov 2009 01:31
By Michael Younger
Wales coach Warren Gatland has reverted back to the side that lost 19-12 to New Zealand for Saturday's Test against Argentina at the Millennium Stadium.
The heavyweight clash will see Wales take on a Pumas side ranked consistently higher in the IRB world rankings in the last 12 months - only in February, March and June did Wales temporarily go ahead before Argentina reclaimed their superior position.
The only change from the squad that faced New Zealand a fortnight ago in the series opener is at the centre, where in-form Scarlets Jonathan Davies has been his first home start replacing the injured Tom Shanklin.
The British and Irish Lions quartet of Shane Williams, Stephen Jones, Matthew Rees and Martyn Williams have all been recalled after being rested in last Friday's 17-13 win over Samoa.
There is also a slight positional switch, with Cardiff Blues centre Jamie Roberts moving to outside centre to accommodate Davies at 12.
Uncapped Dragons flanker Dan Lydiate gets his first chance of the campaign, joining Ospreys prop Duncan Jones and Cardiff Blues second row Bradley Davies in providing bench cover for the forwards.
Gatland said of the selection: "Jonathan came on at inside centre on Friday [against Samoa] when Tom [Shanklin] was injured and he acquitted himself well.
"That's his natural position, he plays there for his region and is comfortable there.
"Jamie is the more experienced player and more than capable of playing at 13 and we are looking forward to the continuation of the partnership from the second half last weekend.
"With James Hook going so well at full-back it was important for us to continue his international development in that position."
Gatland, who has rotated his bench with the aim of giving everyone in his small squad game-time, added: "Dan [Lydiate] has impressed in training, we have selected a small squad and he is the only one who has not been involved so far, so we felt it was important for his development that he gets the opportunity to win his first cap and put what he has learnt into practice."
Attendance for the heavyweight clash, which has seen Welsh sides win seven times in 11 attempts, has already surpassed the 50,000 mark as Gatland prepares his men for battle on a brand new Millennium Stadium surface.