Four Dragons have been selected to face England at Twickenham in the first Rugby World Cup warm-up of the summer. Dan Lydiate and Toby Faletau are starting for the squad with Lloyd Burns and Luke Charteris on the bench. The side has made six changes from the side who faced the Barbarians at Millennium Stadium on 4 June.
Scarlets playmaker Stephen Jones makes his 101st appearance and becomes Wales’ most capped player, overtaking fellow centurion Gareth Thomas, and Ospreys second row Alun Wyn Jones reaches the milestone of 50 caps.
In the back line Rhys Priestland comes into the side at full back in place of Morgan Stoddart, Jamie Roberts returns at inside centre for Gavin Henson and Shane Williams replaces Aled Brew on the wing.
Up front prop Craig Mitchell comes in for Ryan Bevington, who moves to the bench, with Paul James switching sides of the scrum.
It’s all change in the second row with the established unit from the recent RBS 6 Nations Championship, Bradley Davies and Jones reunited, as both Ryan Jones and Luke Charteris move to the bench.
The young back row unit of Sam Warburton, Toby Faletau and Dan Lydiate, which made its debut against the Baa-Baas, is retained and Warburton keeps the captaincy. Mike Phillips also keeps his place and continues the half back partnership with centurion Jones.
Joining Bevington, Jones and Charteris on the bench as cover for the forwards is Lloyd Burns, backline cover is provided by Scarlets trio Tavis Knoyle (scrum-half), Scott Williams (centre) and Stoddart (wing/full-back).
“We have made changes but we have some pretty established combinations coming back with Jamie Roberts returning to the midfield and Alun Wyn and Bradley in the second row,”said Wales coach Warren Gatland.
“These are the men in possession of the jersey at the moment and it is now up to them to hold on to it and they will only do that with a performance at Twickenham at the weekend.
“The stakes are high for individuals, but as a team it is also important for us to create some momentum as we head for the World Cup in New Zealand.”
Players not considered for selection for this game but expected to be back in contention next week are: Adam Jones who has been managing a toe problem, James Hook who has been managing a neck problem and Lee Byrne who is recovering from an injury to his knee. Gethin Jenkins is considered fit, but is taking extra time to get himself up to 100 per cent and Matthew Rees has had an injection in his neck and will be re-assessed next week. Leigh Halfpenny has an ankle injury and is not yet ready to return to action, but is targeting the match against Argentina.
Wales assistant coach Rob Howley added: “It is a tremendous achievement for Stephen, but he had all the well deserved accolades when he won his 100th cap and the spotlight this weekend should really go to Alun Wyn on winning his 50th.
“We are fielding nine of the players who played in the final 6 Nations match this year and have some senior men coming back in with Jamie and Shane bringing a wealth of experience.
“At full back Rhys has done very well for the Scarlets and we have an opportunity to test him now at this level and we are sure he won’t let anyone down.”
Wales: Rhys Priestland; George North, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Michael Phillips; Paul James, Huw Bennett, Craig Mitchell, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (C), Toby Faletau. Replacements: Lloyd Burns, Ryan Bevington, Luke Charteris, Ryan Jones, Tavis Knoyle, Scott Williams, Morgan Stoddart
15 Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,080)
DoB: 07.01.87 1.82m / 6’0”. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs
International record: 2 caps (W 1, L 1)
14 George NORTH (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,078)
DoB: 13.04.92. 6’4” / 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs
International record: 5 caps (L 4, D 1; 15 pts – 3T)
13 Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,066)
DoB: 05.04.88. 6’1” / 1.86m. 16st 3lb / 103kgs
International record: 12 caps (W 6, L 6; 10 pts – 2T)
12 Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,057)
DoB: 08.11.86. 6’4” / 1.93m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 29 caps (W 13, L 16; 10 pts – 2T)
11 Shane WILLIAMS (OSPREYS – Cap No 976)
DoB: 26.02.77. 5’7” / 1.71m. 12st 1lb / 77kgs
International record: 79 caps (W 38, L 39, D 2; 265 pts – 53T)
10 Stephen JONES (SCARLETS – Cap No 966)
DoB: 08.12.77. 6'1” / 1.86m. 14st 7lbs / 92kgs
International record: 100 caps (W 40, L 56, D 3; 889 pts - 7T, 142C, 184PG, 6DG)
9 Mike PHILLIPS (BAYONNE – Cap No 1,022)
DoB: 29.08.82. 6’3” / 1.91m. 15st 10lb / 101kgs
International record: 52 caps (W 24, L 26, D 2; 30 pts – 6T)
1 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)
DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1” / 1.86m. 18st 2lbs / 115kgs
International record: 23 caps (W 8, L 14, D 1)
2 Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,017)
DoB: 11.06.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 16st 8lbs / 105kgs
International record: 39 caps (W 18, L 20, D 1)
3 Craig MITCHELL (EXETER CHIEFS – Cap No 1,068)
DoB: 03.05.86. 6’1” / 1.85m. 17st 2lbs / 109kgs
International record: 8 caps (W 6, L 2)
4 Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065)
DoB: 09.01.87. 6’6” / 1.98m. 19st 1lbs / 121kgs
International record: 22 caps (W 9, L 12, D 1)
5 Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,046)
DoB: 19.09.85. 6’5” / 1.96m. 18st 10lbs / 119kgs
International record: 49 caps (W 19, L 30; 25 pts – 5T)
6 Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,071)
DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6’4”. 17st 10lbs / 112kgs
International record: 11 caps (W 4, L 6, D 1)
7 Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,070)
DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6’2”. 16st 4lbs / 103kgs
International record: 15 caps (W 7, L 8; 5 pts - 1T)
8 Toby FALETAU (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,082)
DoB: 12.11.90. 1.88m / 6’2”. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 1 cap (L 1)
REPLACEMENTS
16 Lloyd BURNS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,085)
DoB: 09.12.84. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 0lbs / 108kgs
International record: 1 cap (L 1)
17 Ryan BEVINGTON (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,081)
DoB: 9.12.88. 6’0”/1.82m. 17st 2lb/109kgs
International record: 1 cap (L 1)
18 Luke CHARTERIS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,030)
DoB: 09.03.83. 6’9” / 2.06m. 19st 10lbs / 125kgs
International record: 23 caps (W 11, L 12)
19 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,029)
DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 52 caps (W 26, L 24, D 2; 5 pts – 1T)
20 Tavis KNOYLE (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,076)
DoB: 02.06.90. 6’1” / 1.85m. 14st 5lbs / 91kgs
International record: 3 caps (W 1, L 2)
21 Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,084)
DoB: 10.10.90. 6’0” / 1.83m. 15st 3lbs / 97kgs
International record: International record: 1 cap (L 1)
22 Morgan STODDART (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,056)
DoB: 23.09.84. 6’1” / 1.86m. 14st 13lbs / 95kgs
International record: 7 caps (W 3, L 4; 25 pts – 5T)
Scarlets playmaker Stephen Jones makes his 101st appearance and becomes Wales’ most capped player, overtaking fellow centurion Gareth Thomas, and Ospreys second row Alun Wyn Jones reaches the milestone of 50 caps.
In the back line Rhys Priestland comes into the side at full back in place of Morgan Stoddart, Jamie Roberts returns at inside centre for Gavin Henson and Shane Williams replaces Aled Brew on the wing.
Up front prop Craig Mitchell comes in for Ryan Bevington, who moves to the bench, with Paul James switching sides of the scrum.
It’s all change in the second row with the established unit from the recent RBS 6 Nations Championship, Bradley Davies and Jones reunited, as both Ryan Jones and Luke Charteris move to the bench.
The young back row unit of Sam Warburton, Toby Faletau and Dan Lydiate, which made its debut against the Baa-Baas, is retained and Warburton keeps the captaincy. Mike Phillips also keeps his place and continues the half back partnership with centurion Jones.
Joining Bevington, Jones and Charteris on the bench as cover for the forwards is Lloyd Burns, backline cover is provided by Scarlets trio Tavis Knoyle (scrum-half), Scott Williams (centre) and Stoddart (wing/full-back).
“We have made changes but we have some pretty established combinations coming back with Jamie Roberts returning to the midfield and Alun Wyn and Bradley in the second row,”said Wales coach Warren Gatland.
“These are the men in possession of the jersey at the moment and it is now up to them to hold on to it and they will only do that with a performance at Twickenham at the weekend.
“The stakes are high for individuals, but as a team it is also important for us to create some momentum as we head for the World Cup in New Zealand.”
Players not considered for selection for this game but expected to be back in contention next week are: Adam Jones who has been managing a toe problem, James Hook who has been managing a neck problem and Lee Byrne who is recovering from an injury to his knee. Gethin Jenkins is considered fit, but is taking extra time to get himself up to 100 per cent and Matthew Rees has had an injection in his neck and will be re-assessed next week. Leigh Halfpenny has an ankle injury and is not yet ready to return to action, but is targeting the match against Argentina.
Wales assistant coach Rob Howley added: “It is a tremendous achievement for Stephen, but he had all the well deserved accolades when he won his 100th cap and the spotlight this weekend should really go to Alun Wyn on winning his 50th.
“We are fielding nine of the players who played in the final 6 Nations match this year and have some senior men coming back in with Jamie and Shane bringing a wealth of experience.
“At full back Rhys has done very well for the Scarlets and we have an opportunity to test him now at this level and we are sure he won’t let anyone down.”
Wales: Rhys Priestland; George North, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Michael Phillips; Paul James, Huw Bennett, Craig Mitchell, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (C), Toby Faletau. Replacements: Lloyd Burns, Ryan Bevington, Luke Charteris, Ryan Jones, Tavis Knoyle, Scott Williams, Morgan Stoddart
15 Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,080)
DoB: 07.01.87 1.82m / 6’0”. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs
International record: 2 caps (W 1, L 1)
14 George NORTH (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,078)
DoB: 13.04.92. 6’4” / 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs
International record: 5 caps (L 4, D 1; 15 pts – 3T)
13 Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,066)
DoB: 05.04.88. 6’1” / 1.86m. 16st 3lb / 103kgs
International record: 12 caps (W 6, L 6; 10 pts – 2T)
12 Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,057)
DoB: 08.11.86. 6’4” / 1.93m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 29 caps (W 13, L 16; 10 pts – 2T)
11 Shane WILLIAMS (OSPREYS – Cap No 976)
DoB: 26.02.77. 5’7” / 1.71m. 12st 1lb / 77kgs
International record: 79 caps (W 38, L 39, D 2; 265 pts – 53T)
10 Stephen JONES (SCARLETS – Cap No 966)
DoB: 08.12.77. 6'1” / 1.86m. 14st 7lbs / 92kgs
International record: 100 caps (W 40, L 56, D 3; 889 pts - 7T, 142C, 184PG, 6DG)
9 Mike PHILLIPS (BAYONNE – Cap No 1,022)
DoB: 29.08.82. 6’3” / 1.91m. 15st 10lb / 101kgs
International record: 52 caps (W 24, L 26, D 2; 30 pts – 6T)
1 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)
DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1” / 1.86m. 18st 2lbs / 115kgs
International record: 23 caps (W 8, L 14, D 1)
2 Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,017)
DoB: 11.06.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 16st 8lbs / 105kgs
International record: 39 caps (W 18, L 20, D 1)
3 Craig MITCHELL (EXETER CHIEFS – Cap No 1,068)
DoB: 03.05.86. 6’1” / 1.85m. 17st 2lbs / 109kgs
International record: 8 caps (W 6, L 2)
4 Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065)
DoB: 09.01.87. 6’6” / 1.98m. 19st 1lbs / 121kgs
International record: 22 caps (W 9, L 12, D 1)
5 Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,046)
DoB: 19.09.85. 6’5” / 1.96m. 18st 10lbs / 119kgs
International record: 49 caps (W 19, L 30; 25 pts – 5T)
6 Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,071)
DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6’4”. 17st 10lbs / 112kgs
International record: 11 caps (W 4, L 6, D 1)
7 Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,070)
DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6’2”. 16st 4lbs / 103kgs
International record: 15 caps (W 7, L 8; 5 pts - 1T)
8 Toby FALETAU (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,082)
DoB: 12.11.90. 1.88m / 6’2”. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 1 cap (L 1)
REPLACEMENTS
16 Lloyd BURNS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,085)
DoB: 09.12.84. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 0lbs / 108kgs
International record: 1 cap (L 1)
17 Ryan BEVINGTON (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,081)
DoB: 9.12.88. 6’0”/1.82m. 17st 2lb/109kgs
International record: 1 cap (L 1)
18 Luke CHARTERIS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,030)
DoB: 09.03.83. 6’9” / 2.06m. 19st 10lbs / 125kgs
International record: 23 caps (W 11, L 12)
19 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,029)
DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 52 caps (W 26, L 24, D 2; 5 pts – 1T)
20 Tavis KNOYLE (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,076)
DoB: 02.06.90. 6’1” / 1.85m. 14st 5lbs / 91kgs
International record: 3 caps (W 1, L 2)
21 Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,084)
DoB: 10.10.90. 6’0” / 1.83m. 15st 3lbs / 97kgs
International record: International record: 1 cap (L 1)
22 Morgan STODDART (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,056)
DoB: 23.09.84. 6’1” / 1.86m. 14st 13lbs / 95kgs
International record: 7 caps (W 3, L 4; 25 pts – 5T)
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