Warren Gatland announces Wales match-day squad for quarter-final clash against Ireland – Rugby
Wales’ national Rugby Union team head coach, Warren Gatland, has announced his match-day 22 for their upcoming 2011 Rugby World Cup’s (RWC) quarter-final clash against Ireland. Ireland and Wales will kick-start the knockout phase of the 2011 RWC on Saturday, October 8, at Westpac Stadium, Wellington. The announcement of Wales' squad was made on Thursday, October 6.
Gatland has made five changes to the squad, which took the field in Wales' last Pool D match against Fiji at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton on Sunday, October 2. Ireland defeated Fiji 66 – 0 to register their place in the last eight of the tournament.
Gatland has left out Stephen Jones from the match-day 22. However, the 102-test caps veteran has backed Gatland’s policy of playing the young blood. He said, “The younger players have high rugby ability, and they've gone out there and enjoyed throwing the ball around. They are fearless.”
Rhys Priestland will start the match at the fly half position, while James Hook will start the match from the bench. Leigh Halfpenny will start the match at the fullback position in place of the Lee Byrne. Byrne is dropped from the match day squad, altogether.
Jonathan Davies will start the match from the outside centre position, taking over from Scott Williams, who is moved to the bench. Meanwhile, Shane Williams has recovered from his injury to make his return to the starting lineup. He will start the match, at the left-winger position.
In forwards pack, Dan Lydiate will join his captain Sam Warburton and Toby Faletau in the back row. Lydiate comes into the starting xv in place of Ryan Jones, who will start the game from the bench.
Additionally, Bradley Davies is moved to the bench to make way for the lock Alun Wyn Davies in the second row. Davies will form the second row pair with Luke Charteris.
The trio of Hook, Williams and Lydiate has recovered from their minor injuries, which they sustained in their last game against Samoa. Hook, Williams and Lydiate have recovered from shoulder, ankle and thigh injuries respectively. The trio has held a full training session with the rest of the squad on Wednesday, October 5.
Wales’ squad for their quarterfinal clash against Ireland consists of:
Starting XV: 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. George North, 13. Jonathan Davies, 12. Jamie Roberts, 11. Shane Williams, 10. Rhys Priestland, 09. Mike Phillips 08. Toby Faletau, 07. Sam Warburton (captain), 06. Dan Lydiate, 05. Alun Wyn Jones, 04. Luke Charteris, 03. Adam Jones, 02. Huw Bennett, 01. Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16. Lloyd Burns, 17. Paul James, 18. Bradley Davies, 19. Ryan Jones, 20. Lloyd Williams, 21. James Hook, 22. Scott Williams.
Tags: