Rob Howley to name a strong side – Rugby News Update
Rob Howley, the interim caretaker coach of Wales for their tour of Australia, has named a strong side for their first test against the Wallabies on Saturday, June 9.
Wales is currently on a three-match test tour of Australia with the first match at Brisbane, followed by games at Melbourne on June 16, and Sydney on June 23. Howley replaced Warren Gatland, the head coach of Wales, for this particular series, as the latter
is recovering from an injury and will not be able to coach the side. The newcomer has the arduous task of leading Wales to their first test win on Wallabies' soil since 1969.
In order to do that he has named a side completely different than the one that beat the Barbarians before embarking for Australia, while Sam Warburton, the Wales Captain will return to the field of play after an 11 week break due to injury.
"We are well prepared and looking forward to the challenge this weekend," said Howley. "We have created some winning momentum, we have a recent home win against the Barbarians to take into this game and have built a certain amount of confidence within the
squad."
Majority of the Wales team travelled to Australia before the match against the Barbarians to prepare them for the first test, hence the ring of changes for the match. Wales comes to Australia at the back of excellent form, winning the 2012 Six Nations Grand
Slam, but they lost to Australia when the two teams last played at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
There are a few changes from the team that won the Six Nations, as Scarlets' centre, Scott Williams, replaces the injured Jamie Roberts and Ken Owens replaces Matthew Rees in the hooker position. Only six players that played the Barbarians have been asked
to act as replacements.
Wales Squad:
Wales: L Halfpenny; A Cuthbert, J Davies, S Williams, G North; R Priestland, M Phillips; G Jenkins, K Owens, A Jones, B Davies, L Charteris, D Lydiate, S Warburton (Captain), T Faletau.
Replacements: M Rees, P James, AW Jones, R Jones, L Williams, J Hook, A Beck.
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