Trio will boost Wales ahead of All Blacks Test
Welsh prop Gethin Jenkins and back-row players Sam Warburton and Andy Powell have been passed fit to play in the Test match with New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday 27 November.
Wales will be boosted by the return of Jenkins in particular. The British and Irish Lion is extremely strong in the scrum and this is the one area of the game where Wales may hold an advantage.
Jenkins and Warburton were injured in the first Test of the Autumn Internationals in Wales’ 25-16 defeat against Australia.
Powell was called up as a replacement following the match with Australia, but picked up an injury following the 29-25 Test defeat with the Springboks.
Warburton is expected to come back into the team in place of Ryan Jones who was stripped of the captaincy after his display in the 16-16 draw with Fiji.
Powell may start on the bench for Jones who is expected to drop out of the match-day squad for the Test, after Gatland publicly criticised the forward.
Stephen Jones is expected to return to the team at the expense of the ineffective Dan Biggar.
The out-half defended Gatland and the coaching staff after they were heavily criticised by a number of former Welsh players for their comments regarding players and their performances after the match.
Speaking at a press conference, Jones said, "Obviously the coaches are entitled to make their opinions known and we respect them for that. It's going to be a great game, a physical game, and it's a good challenge for us.”
New Zealand are expected to win the Test and record a Grand Slam over the home nations.
However, Gatland will be boosted by the return of Jenkins, Powell and Warburton. This will increase the coach’s options.
Wales will be looking for a big performance after the disappointment of only drawing with Fiji.
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