SCARLETS CENTRE JONATHAN Davies has been named in the Wales team to play England in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Sunday after four months out through injury.
Davies, who will join French giants Clermont next season, last appeared for his country in a 24-15 loss to South Africa in November, during which he was forced off with a torn pectoral muscle, but returns to renew his midfield partnership with Racing-Metro’s Jamie Roberts.
In the only other change to the Welsh starting XV, Ospreys second-row forward Alun-Wyn Jones returns to the front row after sitting out the 27-6 defeat of France on February 21 with a foot infection.
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“It’s great to have both Jon and Alun Wyn back and available and they come into a very experienced side,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland. ”Jon came through the match (Scarlets’ 18-13 win over Munster in the Celtic League) well at the weekend and he is ready to go.”
Jones’s inclusion means that Scarlets lock Jake Ball drops to the bench, while Davies’ return sees Northampton’s George North revert to the wing, with Scarlets back Liam Williams losing his place in the team.
Along with Ireland and France, England and Wales are level on four points ahead of Sunday’s game, which will be the 125th meeting between the teams.
Twickenham test
With England gunning to avenge a record 30-3 loss in Cardiff a year ago that enabled Wales to claim the 2013 title, Gatland has warned his players to expect a furious onslaught from Stuart Lancaster’s men.
“We were happy with the response and performance against France, but we know we will have to raise it another level on Sunday,” he said. ”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.”
The Wales line-up features 11 of the players who started in last year’s contest at the Millennium Stadium, with scrum-half Rhys Webb, fly-half Rhys Priestland, lock Luke Charteris and flanker Dan Lydiate the only additions.
England head coach Lancaster is due to name his team for the match on Friday at 10.25 am.
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; Rhys Priestland, Rhys Webb; Gethin Jenkins, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones; Luke Charteris, Alun-Wyn Jones; Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (capt.), Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Ken Owens, Paul James, Rhodri Jones, Jake Ball, Justin Tipuric, Mike Phillips, Dan Biggar, Liam Williams.
Jonathan Davies returns to Welsh team that includes 12 Lions
SCARLETS CENTRE JONATHAN Davies has been named in the Wales team to play England in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Sunday after four months out through injury.
Davies, who will join French giants Clermont next season, last appeared for his country in a 24-15 loss to South Africa in November, during which he was forced off with a torn pectoral muscle, but returns to renew his midfield partnership with Racing-Metro’s Jamie Roberts.
In the only other change to the Welsh starting XV, Ospreys second-row forward Alun-Wyn Jones returns to the front row after sitting out the 27-6 defeat of France on February 21 with a foot infection.
“It’s great to have both Jon and Alun Wyn back and available and they come into a very experienced side,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland. ”Jon came through the match (Scarlets’ 18-13 win over Munster in the Celtic League) well at the weekend and he is ready to go.”
Jones’s inclusion means that Scarlets lock Jake Ball drops to the bench, while Davies’ return sees Northampton’s George North revert to the wing, with Scarlets back Liam Williams losing his place in the team.
Along with Ireland and France, England and Wales are level on four points ahead of Sunday’s game, which will be the 125th meeting between the teams.
Twickenham test
With England gunning to avenge a record 30-3 loss in Cardiff a year ago that enabled Wales to claim the 2013 title, Gatland has warned his players to expect a furious onslaught from Stuart Lancaster’s men.
“We were happy with the response and performance against France, but we know we will have to raise it another level on Sunday,” he said. ”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.”
The Wales line-up features 11 of the players who started in last year’s contest at the Millennium Stadium, with scrum-half Rhys Webb, fly-half Rhys Priestland, lock Luke Charteris and flanker Dan Lydiate the only additions.
England head coach Lancaster is due to name his team for the match on Friday at 10.25 am.
- © AFP, 2014
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Alun-Wyn Jones Six Nations England Jonathan Davies midfield boost Wales Warren Gatland