Sam Warburton is surprise inclusion for Wales
Welsh coach Warren Gatland has opted for youth over experience as he named Sam Warburton as flanker over veteran Cardiff open-side Martyn Williams for their Test against Australia on Saturday 6 November.
The decision is the most surprising selection call in the Wales team, but Gatland is adamant that Warburton needs to be given a chance so that he can assess whether the forward can perform against one of the best teams in the world.
“In terms of the open-side stuff, we need to still find out about Sam Warburton. We were very pleased with his last game against South Africa,” said Gatland during a press conference to announce his team.
The Welsh manager will hope that his new look back-row will be able to compete with Australia’s, which is arguably the best in the world and boasts David Pocock and captain Rocky Elsom.
Dan Lydiate and Jonathan Thomas come in alongside Warburton at 6 and 8 and they will aim to stifle the influence that the Wallabies have in this position.
Thomas starts after Welsh captain Ryan Jones pulled out with a calf injury, while Williams is also only returning from an injury and this may have also influenced Gatland to opt for Warburton.
The flanker will only win his fourth cap for Wales, and Gatland said, "We were disappointed he was injured and didn't want to go on the summer tour so he's getting another opportunity.”
Warburton will be asked to front up physically to Pocock and to stop the Australian flanker around the breakdown, where he is so effective.
Gatland has also opted to give Will Harries his debut on the wing, as British and Irish Lion Leigh Halfpenny picked up an injury in his last club game with Cardiff. The versatile James Hook moves to full-back as cover for Lee Byrne.
Warburton will hope that his performance against Australia will cement his position in the team as British and Irish Lions star Williams waits for his chance to come off the bench.
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