LONDON: Alun Wyn Jones will captain defending champions Wales in their Six Nations opener against Italy on Saturday, with Sam Warburton on the bench, the Welsh Rugby Union announced yesterday.
Ospreys skipper Jones, who last captained Wales against Italy in 2009, leads a side bidding to win an unprecedented third consecutive Six Nations crown.
He takes over from Cardiff Blues flanker Warburton, who recently spent two months on the sidelines with a shoulder problem.
Jamie Roberts of Racing-Metro returns at centre after missing last year’s November Tests due to injury, with the Scarlets’ Rhys Priestland edging out Dan Biggar of Ospreys at fly-half.
Bath prop Paul James replaces injured Cardiff front-rower Gethin Jenkins and Perpignan’s Luke Charteris takes over from the suspended Ian Evans in the second row.
“We are looking for a good start,” said head coach Warren Gatland in a statement released by the WRU. “We started slowly last year (losing 30-22 at home to Ireland) and know we need to be ready from the off.
“Italy started last year’s tournament with a win over France so they will be ready on Saturday and we need to start well and build confidence and momentum.
“It’s a strong, experienced side, but there was a lot of discussion about the selection, which is a great position to be in as a coach. We’ve almost everyone fit for selection, which is pretty rare.
“Alun Wyn will lead the side, with Sam starting on the bench and he has come through training well.”
Joining Warburton among the replacements is Ospreys scrum-half Rhys Webb, who is named in a Six Nations match squad for the first time.
Wales team announced on Tuesday to play Italy in the opening Six Nations match at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Saturday (1430 GMT kick-off):
England appear set to field a rookie backline with two debutants and a one-cap winger when they begin their Six Nations campaign away to France on Saturday.
A series of injuries have forced coach Stuart Lancaster’s hand but he is also expected to drop established winger Chris Ashton to make way for uncapped 20-year-old flyer Jack Nowell.
Luther Burrell is in line for a first start at centre, while Jonny May should add to the solitary cap he won on last year’s tour of Argentina, edging out uncapped 19-year-old Anthony Watson on the other wing.
The long injury list always meant that some new faces were likely to be involved in Paris but last week, Lancaster hinted that he would not want to throw in too many and that Ashton would probably hold on to his place.
However, British media reported on Tuesday that Ashton would be cut, with some suggesting he would not even be among the replacements.
Ashton, 26, made a stunning start to his international career having switched from rugby league, scoring 15 tries in his first 17 games following his debut against France in 2010.
However, his formed dipped last year and he was set to be replaced in the November internationals - only for injuries to Marland Yarde and Christian Wade to spare him.
Nowell has terrific pace and though he has scored only two tries in his 16 games for Exeter, Lancaster has seen enough in training to think him ready for a baptism of fire in the Stade de France.
“There is a balance to strike, but I’ve always been reasonably confident to pick inexperienced players if I feel they’re ready,” said Lancaster, who gave seven players their debuts in his first match in charge against Scotland two years ago.
“For me, it’s exciting to give young players opportunities, particularly if they’ve been performing well and showing it consistently at their clubs.”
Lancaster will name his team tomorrow.
Agencies
