Lions duo return for Wales

Mar 5 • General News • 1336 Views • Comments Off on Lions duo return for Wales

Wales have made two changes to the side to face England in the RBS 6 Nations at Twickenham on Sunday (KO 15.00) with British and Irish Lions duo Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) and Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) returning to the starting XV.

Davies returns from injury to reunite Wales’ most capped centre pairing as he lines up alongside Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro).

The only change in pack, from the victory against France, sees Jones return in the second-row after missing the Millennium Stadium clash with a foot infection.  He partners Luke Charteris (Perpignan) behind a front-row of Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues),Richard Hibbard and Adam Jones (both Ospreys), with Scarlets lock Jake Ballmoving to the bench. The back-row remains unchanged with captain Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues) featuring alongside Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro) and Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Rhys Webb (Ospreys) and Rhys Priestland (Scarlets) continue their partnership at half-back.

There is one positional change in the back-line with George North (Northampton Saints) returning to the wing from centre, in place of Scarlets back Liam Williams who provides cover from the bench. North lines up alongside Cardiff Blues pair Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny in the back three.

“It’s great to have both Jon and Alun Wyn back and available and they come into a very experienced side,” said Gatland.

“Jon came through the match well at the weekend and he is ready to go.”

“We were happy with the response and performance against France but we know we will have to raise it another level on Sunday.”

“We are really looking forward to going up to Twickenham, England have performed well so far and it’s set up to be a great game with all to play for.”

On the bench Ken Owens, Rhodri Jones (both Scarlets) and Paul James (Bath Rugby) are named as the front-row replacements and are joined by Ball and Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric to complete the forward cover and Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Dan Biggar (Ospreys) and Williams provide cover for the backs.

WALES SQUAD TO PLAY ENGLAND:
Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton Saints), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Sam Warburton (CAPT – Cardiff Blues), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets).

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