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Wales name team for Ireland
By Online Editors
Warren Gatland has named an unchanged team as Wales seek to clinch a third Grand Slam during the New Zealander’s 12-season reign.
Saturday’s title finale against Ireland is Gatland’s 50th Six Nations match for Wales and his side go into the game as the only unbeaten team in the tournament with four victories to their name.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones will equal Welshman Gethin Jenkins’ total Test appearance record as he moves to 134 test caps (125 Wales, 9 British & Irish Lions) and to joint fifth in the overall world test appearance list.
Jones again packs down with Adam Beard in the second row, with Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis continuing together in the front row. Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty comprise the backrow.
Gareth Davies and Gareth Anscombe are named at half-backs with Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies in the centre. Josh Adams, George North and Liam Williams once again comprise the back three for Wales.
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“We’ve named an unchanged squad and rewarded the players for the last couple of outings and the last couple of victories,’ explained Gatland, who will step down from his position at the end of the World Cup in Japan.
“These players are on a very good run, they are a hugely impressive group and they deserve to be going into the final weekend with everything to play for.
“It is a great reward for them for the hard work they have put in and we are all looking forward of what is going to be a huge game.
“For a number of us as coaches this is our last Six Nations game and that fact it is in Cardiff is extra special. There is bound to be a bit of emotion on Saturday and that is something to embrace.”
Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith and Dillon Lewis provide the front row cover on the bench with Jake Ball and Aaron Wainwright completing the forward contingent. Aled Davies, Dan Biggar and Owen Watkin provide the backline cover.
WALES TEAM (versus Ireland)
15. Liam Williams (55 Caps)
14. George North (82 Caps)
13. Jonathan Davies (72 Caps)
12. Hadleigh Parkes (14 Caps)
11. Josh Adams (10 Caps)
10. Gareth Anscombe (25 Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (40 Caps)
1. Rob Evans (34 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (63 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (39 aps)
4. Adam Beard (12 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Capt) (124 Caps)
6. Josh Navidi (15 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (63 Caps)
8. Ross Moriarty (30 Caps)
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Elliot Dee (17 Caps)
17. Nicky Smith (27 Caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (11 Caps)
19. Jake Ball (31 Caps)
20. Aaron Wainwright (7 Caps)
21. Aled Davies (15 Caps)
22. Dan Biggar (69 Caps)
23. Owen Watkin (12 Caps)
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Latest Comments
My faith in what?
Will it magically make me think that Pep, Gatland, and Jones have gotten better with age? What I’ve seen of it so far certainly hasn’t had that effect.
To be clear, are you admitting you’re wrong about Pep?
Go to commentsI wouldn’t think those names have anything to do with it. It is obviously hard just by fact of the numbers that succeed at it.
I’d say Petia is a completely different athlete, and it matters not at all how they perform playing rugby. What positions did they try out for? I don’t think he’s played rugby for well over a year now, can’t remember him in SR last year, but his form fell off a cliff compared to how he played as a youngster, so you haven’t missed out. Obviously still got by on pure ability. It’s very easy to look at the NFL with stary eyes but I’m not really sure how much ‘special’ is needed at all for most positions/players. JP though was very special when he started out, much like how Joseph was last November.
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