Back to regional rugby for grand slam stars

HOW tough would it be for the cast of Raiders of the Lost Ark to find themselves in an episode of Coronation Street six days later?

Last Saturday the Ospreys’ Wales internationals were involved in the tumultuous experience of winning a Grand Slam. Crash, bang, wallop — soaring highs, frayed nerves, a spot of sporting tightrope walking, a few gasps, the odd tear, all ending with smiles and silverware being safely secured.

This week comes a rapid descent back to reality.

From the Slam to the RaboDirect Pro12, champagne to bread and butter.

However you look at it, there is some adapting to do.

Most of the players were up at Llandarcy on Tuesday, being checked over in readiness for the away game against Leinster this evening.

That said, it is misleading to suggest there is anything humdrum about the clash at the RDS. The Ospreys cannot even begin to view it like that.

Leinster are league leaders, the Ospreys are third, and for the Welsh region, in particular, there is plenty on the game, just as there will be plenty on every match between now and the end of the season.

They are third in the table but far from certain of finishing in the top four and securing a place in the play-offs. There are not enough points in the bank for the former Celtic champions to be untroubled about dropping even one more game.

Two defeats in a row have left the Ospreys looking over the shoulders.

A third setback would probably leave them requiring a perfect finish to the campaign from their remaining games: four wins out of four.

No pressure, then.

There is also the unfortunate reality that Leinster are the form side in European rugby. They haven’t just beaten some good sides in Dublin this term; they have smashed them.

Bath in the Heineken Cup were destroyed 52-27.

The Blues in the league were taken apart 52-9.

Ulster were crushed 42-13 on Boxing Day.

At full strength the Dubliners have morphed into a formidable side, one who are feared throughout Europe.

That is the scale of the challenge facing Steve Tandy tonight.

Forget what has happened up until now — this is where it starts for Tandy, the region’s newly appointed head coach. He has his best players back and with that fillip comes the responsibility of coaxing performances out of them.

Until now it has been difficult for anyone to form worthwhile impressions of his regime. Will it bring about a change of style? Might there be a different emphasis in selection? How will Tandy attempt to put his stamp on proceedings? How will he galvanise his collection of Grand Slam winners? Can he oversee a strong performance during a difficult period of cutbacks?

Players are human and can’t be expected to produce Grand Slam level of performances every week. But they will know, too, how badly their region need them to turn up in Dublin.

The vibe this week has been encouraging, with flanker Justin Tipuric adamant the Ospreys would arrive at the RDS with their business heads on. “You don’t pick and choose when you want to be competitive,” said Tipuric.

“We have five matches left to secure a place in the semi-finals and that’s what’s driving everyone on.”

Tipuric is one of the Slam brigade answering the Ospreys’ call in Dublin, along with Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones, Paul James and Ashley Beck. All feature in the starting line-up, while Ian Evans, Adam Jones, Ryan Bevington, and Rhys Webb are on the bench.

Leinster are missing players, with Rob Kearney, Gordon D’Arcy, Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan, Cian Healy, Mike Ross, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip absent after their exertions in the Six Nations.

But the European champions underline their strength in depth by naming a side that includes the returning Brian O’Driscoll and Leo Cullen, plus the debut-making Brad Thorn. Isa Nacewa is at full-back, Luke Fitzgerald on the left wing and Richard Strauss at hooker. Just to add to the challenge facing the visitors, 17,300 tickets had been sold as of yesterday morning.

Tandy is under no illusions. “It’s a huge occasion for us,” he said. “Leinster are top of the table for a reason and they play some real good football. We’ll have to be at our best.

“But I don’t see it as daunting for our players. There will be a few young boys in our side but they will only be excited to be going up against world-class players.

“It’s been great to have the Grand Slam boys back. There were probably a few sore heads when they returned on Tuesday but they covered it up pretty well.

“The focus is on Leinster. Having 11 back from the Wales squad is a real positive. They have to push now for two important games, against Leinster this evening and then Treviso at home next week.

“After Treviso, the boys have seven or eight days off to see their families and get away from it all because we understand what an effect physically and mentally a Six Nations campaign can have.”

A key job for Tandy will be to knit the experience he has at forward with the youth at his disposal behind, with the Ospreys carrying four backs who are 22 or under this evening. Some might say the region have an unbalanced look, having parted company with so many quality backs.

But money is tight and players are going to have to take responsibility. “We need the Becks, the Bishops and the Biggars of this world to stand tall,” said chief operations officer Andrew Hore. “We need to go with these people.”

Leinster are looking to extend a 20-game unbeaten run, a sequence that stretches back to September 17 last year.

Rugby statisticians are still searching for evidence of a better chain of results by a top-flight side in the professional era.

But travelling to the Irish capital should not hold any fears for the Ospreys, given that they have won two of their last three visits there.

Even without key players, the Irish province will expect to account for Tandy’s team.

But the opportunity is there for the Ospreys to make a statement.

An against-the-odds success, powered by the ball-carrying of the likes of George Stowers and Richard Hibbard, would show that the league was not done and dusted — and remind Leinster that if the Ospreys have to return to Dublin for the grand final in May the result wouldn’t be a foregone conclusion.

How the Grand Slam was won

As any good detective will tell you, it’s often the detail that matters, whether it’s a fingerprint on a door handle or a footprint in a garden.

Sometimes, it is the easiest thing in the world to follow false trails.

And the same thing applies in rugby. One mans’s zero can be another’s hero. People see different things and viewpoints are invariably subjective.

Take last Saturday. Dan Lydiate was feted as man of the match by the whole world and his wife plus their pet hamster, yet Mark Ring popped up on the radio in the week to state the case for Gethin Jenkins as Wales’s best player.

“He was out of this world,” said Ring. “I don’t think I have ever seen a display like that from a prop.”

Those who had failed to recognise the greatness of Jenkins’s performance above all others on the day must be myopic to the point of being blind, according to Ring.

But there will never be unanimity. Jenkins ran himself into the ground, thundering around the ground like a tank, levelling opponents with his tackling, achieving a key turnover, holding his own in the scrums, putting in seven passes — as many as Leigh Halfpenny (2), Alex Cuthbert (2), Jonathan Davies (1), Jamie Roberts (1) and George North (1) managed together — and even propelling the ball out of defence with his boot on one occasion.

There has never been a prop like him.

But Lydiate was hardly undeserving of plaudits, given that he featured in the game’s lone try, did his share of carrying and more than anyone embodied the stubborn refusal of the Welsh defensive line to crack. Had the blindside been on the battlefield his trophy cabinet at home would now contain a VC rather than a Six Nations player-of-the-tournament bauble.

But is there more to be gleaned from the championship by crunching more numbers? Only if the usual caution is applied when weighing up statistics and their worth.

One of the things the figures point to is the remarkable effort of Toby Faletau. The No. 8 put in more carries than anyone (58) and also finished top of the tackle count, with 52 hits, missing just one. Truly, the old line can be applied here: “Others have off days, Faletau has the odd day off.”

The 21-year-old’s figures stand up to scrutiny as well. His 58 charges yielded 156 metres. In terms of hard yards, no other Welsh forward got near him. He didn’t just carry, he made ground — there is a difference.

Lydiate’s defence was also every bit as good as most people felt.

He made 43 tackles from four games, averaging 10.75 hits a game, against Faletau’s 10.4 per match. And Lydiate’s tackling was destructive. Opponents weren’t just stopped, they were driven backwards. Last weekend, the flanker didn’t seem content just to tackle people. He seemed intent on making scrap metal of them.

A word, too, on Ryan Jones. He started the championship with 28 tackles and 17 carries in the first two games. Thereafter, he had to do his work off the bench. It is fair to say had he begun every game his stats would gone off the graph.

Ian Evans’s form is also confirmed, the 6ft 8in lock carrying 45 times, more than anyone else bar Faletau and Mike Phillips. There were also 39 tackles plus 21 line-out takes from Evans as he hit career-best form.

Clean breaks? George North managed three and Leigh Halfpenny five, both behind Alex Cuthbert, Wales’s find of the tournament. North did blast his way past 15 defenders, though, including the six who were left clutching thin air in the Ireland game.

Ultimately, the simple things mattered. Wales made fewer errors than anyone and over 500 tackles. They conceded fewest tries and scored more than anyone.

It was a superb collective effort.

The stats reveal much, rather than all. They don’t tell you about Adam Jones’s power scrummaging, nor about Leigh Halfpenny dashing 60 metres to put in an insanely brave last-gasp hit on Dave Strettle at Twickenham. They bracket Sam Warburton’s tackle on Manu Tuilagi alongside a routine stop on the side of a ruck.

Suffice to say, Wales had everyone else’s number.

Grand Slam Winning Wales!

Congratulations to Wales on the Grand Slam!

Wales Vs France Team News

The return of fit-again captain Sam Warburton is Wales’ only starting change for Saturday’s Grand Slam match with France at the Millennium Stadium.

The open-side missed the 24-3 win over Italy with a knee injury but has been able to train normally this week.

Justin Tipuric impressed against Italy but drops out of the 22, as Ryan Jones covers more positions from the bench.

‘Wales should decide if roof is open’ – and Gatland amuses journalists

In the only other change, scrum-half Lloyd Williams returns among the replacements in place of Rhys Webb.

Williams, the Blues nine who is the son of Wales great Brynmor, was a late withdrawal last week because of a thigh strain but returns for rookie Webb, who enjoyed his first taste of Test rugby against the Azzurri.

“We have our captain back and, although Justin Tipuric is unlucky after playing well in his place last week, Sam’s presence is a welcome boost to everyone,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

Unbeaten Wales have been able to name the same backline for the fifth match running, with the Blues and the Scarlets providing three backs each alongside France-based Mike Phillips.

The Bayonne scrum-half is the only player in the starting line-up currently plying his trade outside Wales.

Matthew Rees keeps his place in the number two shirt, with Scarlets team-mate Ken Owens is again the reserve hooker, and is set to win his 50th cap for his country.

Ten of Gatland’s selection have started every match in the tournament – the backline of Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North, Rhys Priestland and Phillips, plus Dragons number eight Toby Faletau, Ospreys lock Ian Evans and Ospreys prop Adam Jones.

Wales last played France in the World Cup semi-final in Auckland last October, a game won 9-8 by Les Bleus which will be remembered for the early dismissal of Wales captain Warburton.

Just three players – Shane Williams (retired), Huw Bennett (injured) and Luke Charteris (on the bench) – are absent from the side that started against France at Eden Park last Autumn.

Although the Wales camp has played down talk of Saturday’s clash being a revenge mission, they will relish the chance to put right that defeat and secure a third Grand Slam in eight years – adding to those won in 2005 and ’08.

“We are obviously aware of what this game means to the fans, 60,000 of them came to the Millennium Stadium during the Rugby World Cup to watch us face France in the semi-final on the television screens and that tells you everything about how dedicated they are,” added Gatland.

“But this weekend we play in front of a sell-out 74,500 crowd with a chance to make history in Cardiff, they will be there to watch us in the flesh.

“They can make a real and positive contribution to the atmosphere and, like us, will be thinking of nothing other than the here and now.

“In camp all we can and must do is make preparations as normal, the magnitude of the game is not lost on us but it is irrelevant to how we prepare.”

WALES: Leigh Halfpenny (Blues); Alex Cuthbert (Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Blues), George North (Scarlets); Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Michael Phillips (Bayonne); Gethin Jenkins (Blues, capt), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Dragons), Sam Warburton (Blues, capt), Toby Faletau (Dragons).

REPLACEMENTS: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Paul James (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Dragons), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Blues), James Hook (Perpignan), Scott Williams (Scarlets).

FRANCE: C Poitrenaud (Toulouse); W Fofana (Clermont Auvergne), A Rougerie (Clermont Auvergne), F Fritz (Toulouse), A Palisson (Toulon); L Beauxis (Stade Francais), D Yachvili (Biarritz); J-B Poux (Toulouse), W Servat (Toulouse), D Attoub (Stade Francais), P Pape (Stade Francais), Y Maestri (Toulouse), T Dusautoir (Toulouse, capt), J Bonnaire (Clermont Auvergne), I Harinordoquy (Biarritz).

REPLACEMENTS: D Szarzewski (Stade Francais), V Debaty (Clermont Auvergne), J Pierre (Clermont Auvergne), L Picamoles (Toulouse), M Parra (Clermont), F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), J-M Buttin (Clermont Auvergne).

Credit BBC Sport.

Rhys Priestland wont dwell on Twickenham experience

Rhys Priestland cut an unusually forlorn figure as his Wales team-mates drenched themselves in champagne and celebrated their Triple Crown win at Twickenham a fortnight ago.

The fly-half had just secured the first piece of silverware of his fledgling international career, but he seemed muted as he reflected on the only poor performance of his 13 Test appearances to date.

Priestland had endured a torrid afternoon, yellow-carded and struggling to play with his usual cool authority, but Wales still managed to snatch a 19-12 win over England.

The 25-year-old was on the pitch at the final whistle, with head coach Warren Gatland deciding to back his fly-half and keep him on for the remainder of the match after he had returned from his sin-binning.

Gatland’s faith was evident again this week as he selected Priestland for tomorrow’s match against Italy, and the Scarlets player is determined to put his Twickenham ordeal behind him with a strong showing at the Millennium Stadium.

“I was pretty disappointed to be honest. I’m not going to dwell on it,” says Priestland.

“Things didn’t go my way but there’s nothing I can do about it now. I’m just lucky to be having another chance tomorrow and hopefully make a better job of it.

“Every time I’m selected, I’m over the moon. I’m just really pleased that the coaches have shown faith in me again.

“Straight after the game the coaches could see I was a little bit disappointed and they came up to speak to me. They told me ‘don’t worry about it — as long as you learn from it’.

“I’ve looked back at the game and there were a few things I wish I had done differently and I wish a few things had gone a different way.

“I’ll look back on it and hopefully I’ve learnt a lot and hopefully it will make me a better player.”

Bristling with a commitment to redeem himself, Priestland speaks with striking candour as he discusses the game at Twickenham and tomorrow’s match.

He knows where he must improve and, encouragingly for the Grand Slam-chasing Wales side, Priestland reckons the team as a whole can move up a gear against Italy.

“I don’t think that game against England was our best performance, for various reasons,” he adds.

“People always speak about teams who don’t play well and win and that it’s usually the sign of a good team. I’m sure we’ll play better than that and lose in the future.

“And we came away with the Triple Crown, the first one I’ve been involved in, so I’m over the moon.

“But there are aspects for me to work on and I have been working hard on them over the last two weeks.

“We know if we are not at our best, Italy will cause us problems.

“The more clinical we can be, the best we can perform to our game-plan, the easier it will make it for us come the end of the game.”

Wales will be expected to brush Italy aside tomorrow, making light work of the Azzurri to set up a potential Grand Slam-clincher against France the following week.

But Priestland knows better than to dismiss his next opponents, and he insists his team-mates will not be allowing themselves to contemplate France’s visit to the Millennium Stadium until they have dealt with tomorrow’s Italian job.

“One thing we have done well so far is to treat each game individually and give everyone the respect they deserve. And it won’t be any different this week,” he says.

“Every time a game comes around, there’s a real buzz about the place and everyone just can’t wait to do their best for their country.

“It’ll be my first time to play against Italy. They have got some quality players throughout the team and they can make life very difficult for you.

“They’ve got big, physical players. And hopefully we can be at our best and really be clinical.

“They are a big threat, so we’ve got to be at the top of our game and not give them a sniff.”

Roberts looking to repay Gatland

Centre Jamie Roberts admits he was more nervous ahead of Wales’ team announcement to face Italy than at any time during his Test career.

Scott Williams scored a stunning match-winning try against England after replacing injured Roberts.
But coach Warren Gatland has stuck with Roberts with Williams on the bench.

“Playing for Wales is never a given and I was probably more nervous before this week than I ever have been in my career,” said Roberts. While Roberts, the 2009 British and Irish Lions’ man of the series in their 2-1 Test series defeat by South Africa, was wary of Scarlet Williams’ challenge, he also had to fight back from the medial knee ligament injury that forced him off at Twickenham. Doubts remain over his fitness, with Roberts saying he will “hopefully” be fully fit for Saturday after playing a limited role in training.

He added: “Obviously disappointed to come off in Twickenham and it’s a tough week’s rehab. The knee is back fully fit and the medics have passed me fully fit for the weekend. “Scott came on and did a sterling job. I was very nervous before team selection. “And that selection, that pressure for positions is certainly driving everyone on and you need it in a successful squad. “I know I’m one game away from being dropped, it’s as simple as that, and I know I have to repay the faith Warren has shown in me. “Individually, I have to repay that faith, otherwise I won’t be playing next week [against France].”

Roberts’ inclusion and Gatland’s confidence in the men in possession means Wales’ starting back division is unchanged
for the fourth successive game.

They combined to score six tries in the only two victories against Ireland and Scotland, with Williams ensuring backline’s dominance of tries continued against England.

“It’s reassuring and it’s good to see continuity as well,” said Roberts. “I feel as a backline trust has been placed upon them and it’s important we repay that. “The backline is going well at the moment. It’s a good combination – strength and finesse I suppose.

“And a lot of players are threats throughout the backline and certainly if we click it’s a tough backline to defend against. “But we know there’s another level in us. “In the first three games we’ve shown in patches we can be very good and it’s just up to us now as a backline to show that for 80 minutes. “And certainly the boys are working very hard in training at improving individually and collectively.”

Having beaten Ireland, Scotland and England to secure a Triple Crown, victory over Italy will set up a Six Nations title and Grand Slam assault when France arrive at the Millennium Stadium on 17 March.

Welsh team Vs Italy individual stats

BACKS

15 Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES)
DoB: 22.12.88. 5’10” / 1.77m. 13st 6lbs / 85kgs
International record: 30 caps (W 15, L 15; 119 pts – 11T, 5C, 18PG)
14 Alex CUTHBERT (CARDIFF BLUES)
DoB: 05.04.90. 6’6” / 1.98m. 16st 3lbs / 103kgs
International record: 4 caps (W 3, L 1; 5 pts – 1T)
13 Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS)
DoB: 05.04.88. 6’1” / 1.86m. 16st 8lb / 105kgs
International record: 24 caps (W 14, L 10; 35 pts – 7T)
12 Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES)
DoB: 08.11.86. 6’4” / 1.93m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 42 caps (W 21, L 21; 20 pts – 4T)
11 George NORTH (SCARLETS)
DoB: 13.04.92. 6’4” / 1.92m. 17st 3lbs / 109kgs
International record: 19 caps (W 9, L 9, D 1; 50 pts – 10T)
10 Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS)
DoB: 07.01.87 1.82m / 6’0”. 15st 0lbs / 95kgs
International record: 13 caps (W 9, L 4; 50 pts – 1T, 12C, 7PG)
9 Mike PHILLIPS (BAYONNE)
DoB: 29.08.82. 6’3” / 1.91m. 15st 10lb / 101kgs
International record: 63 caps (W 31, L 30, D 2; 40 pts – 8T)

FORWARDS

1 Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN)
DoB: 17.11.80. 6’2” / 1.88m. 19st 1lb / 121kgs
International record: 85 caps (W 39, L 44, D 2; 20 pts – 4T)
2 Matthew REES (SCARLETS)
DoB: 09.12.80. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 1lbs / 108kgs
International record: 48 caps (W 20, L 27, D 1; 10 pts – 2T)
3 Adam JONES (OSPREYS)
DoB: 08.03.81. 6’0” / 1.83m. 19st 4lbs / 122kgs
International record: 78 caps (W 38, L 37, D 3; 10 pts – 2T)
4 Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS)
DoB: 19.09.85. 6’5” / 1.96m. 19st 4lbs / 122kgs
International record: 60 caps (W 26, L 34; 35 pts – 7T)
5 Ian EVANS (OSPREYS)
DoB: 04.10.84. 6’8” / 2.04m. 18st 3lbs / 116kgs
International record: 20 caps (W 9, L 10, D 1; 5 pts – 1T)
6 Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS)
DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6’4”. 18st 0lbs / 114kgs
International record: 22 caps (W 10, L 11, D 1)
7 Justin TIPURIC (OSPREYS)
DoB: 06.08.89. 1.88m / 6’2” 15st 13lbs / 101kgs
International record: 3 caps (W 2, L 1)
8 Toby FALETAU (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS)
DoB: 12.11.90. 1.88m / 6’2”. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 14 caps (W 8, L 6; 10 pts – 2T)

REPLACEMENTS

16 Ken OWENS (SCARLETS)
DoB: 03.01.87. 6’1” / 1.86m. 17st 3lbs / 109kgs
International record: 3 caps (W 3)
17 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS)
DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1” / 1.86m. 18st 2lbs / 115kgs
International record: 33 caps (W 14, L 18, D 1)
18 Luke CHARTERIS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS)
DoB: 09.03.83. 6’9” / 2.06m. 19st 10lbs / 125kgs
International record: 32 caps (W 16, L 16)
19 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS)
DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 12lbs / 113kgs
International record: 61 caps (W 31, L 28, D 2; 5 pts – 1T)
20 Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES)
DoB: 30.11.89. 6’0” / 1.83m. 14st 1lb / 89kgs
International record: 6 caps (W 4, L 2; 10 pts – 2T)
21 James HOOK (PERPIGNAN)
DoB: 27.06.85. 6’0” / 1.83m. 15st 2lbs / 96kgs
International record: 61 caps (W 27, L 32, D 2; 326 pts – 12T, 40C, 58PG, 4DG)
22 Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS)
DoB: 10.10.90. 6’0” / 1.83m. 15st 13lbs / 101kgs
International record: 10 caps (W 6, L 4; 25 pts – 5T)

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Davies and Ferris hit with citings !

Wales second-row Bradley Davies and Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris have both been hit with citings following the Six Nations clash between the two sides on Sunday.

Tournament organisers have announced the citings, which were made by match commissioner, Italian Achille Reali. Davies was yellow-carded for a reckless tip-tackle on Ireland replacement Donnacha Ryan, while Ferris received an identical punishment for his tackle on Davies’ second-row partner Ian Evans.

Ferris infringed in the last minute of the game, and Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny kicked the resulting penalty to give his team a 23-21 victory.

Davies and Ferris will appear before an independent Six Nations disciplinary committee in London on Wednesday. Wales continue their Six Nations campaign against Scotland in Cardiff next Sunday, while Ireland meet France in Paris the previous evening.

Reali has taken his action under the International Rugby Board’s Law 10.4 (j). It states: “Lifting a player from the ground, and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst that player’s feet are still off the ground such that the player’s head and/or upper body come into contact with the ground, is dangerous play.”

Wales coach Warren Gatland admitted after the match that Davies was fortunate to avoid a red card, escaping with a sin-binning from referee Wayne Barnes on the recommendation of his assistant Dave Pearson. Ferris’ offence looked far less serious, but he now faces an anxious wait before discovering whether or not he will be sidelined for any part of the tournament.

For his part, Davies seems likely to land a ban, which would give Gatland a second-row selection poser given that World Cup locks Alun-Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris are currently injured and unavailable.

ROBERTS AND PRIESTLAND WIN WALES RACE!

Rhys Priestland and Jamie Roberts will both start for Wales in the RBS 6 Nations Championship opener against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Sunday (kick-off 3.00pm).

Scarlets fly half Priestland and Blues centre Roberts have recovered from knee injuries in time to take their places in a starting line-up which shows six changes to that which faced Australia at the Millennium Stadium in December and just five from that which defeated Ireland in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals six weeks earlier.

Osprey Huw Bennett is set to win his 50thWales cap, making him only the second hooker to do so (Garin Jenkins has 58 caps), in a squad which features no debutants in its ranks but has three players who will make their second appearance for their country.

Saracens loosehead prop Rhys Gill comes into the side for the injured Gethin Jenkins (knee), after winning his other cap two years ago – appearing from the bench against Ireland at Croke Park in the 2010 RBS 6 Nations.

Blues wing Alex Cuthbert, who made his debut against Australia before Christmas, makes his first start profiting from the retirement of Shane Williams, with Scarlets wing George North (who played in all 7 RWC matches last year) switching flanks to take the No11 jersey synonymous with Wales’ top try scorer.

The third player with a single cap to his name is Scarlets hooker Ken Owens, who starts on the bench after making his debut at the RWC in the Pool D clash with Namibia.

Elsewhere in the starting XV Scarlet Jonathan Davies (7 RWC 2011 appearances) is reunited with Roberts (6 RWC 2011 appearances) and Bayonne scrum half Mike Phillips (6 RWC 2011 appearances) also returns.

Davies replaces his Regional colleague Scott Williams and Phillips replaces Blues half back Lloyd Williams, with both departing players providing cover from the bench.

Ospreys and British and Irish Lions prop Adam Jones returns to the front row alongside Gill and half centurion Bennett.

The final change from the Australia match sees another Osprey Ryan Jones come into the back row for injured Dragon Dan Lydiate (ankle).

The second row duo of Ian Evans (Ospreys) and Bradley Davies (Blues) is retained, with this pairing giving the side a different look as neither figured in the RWC showdown with Ireland.

Blues full back Leigh Halfpenny, Roberts, North, Priestland, Bennett, captain Sam Warburton (Blues) and Dragons No8 Toby Faletau (the other player alongside North and Davies to play in all 7 RWC 2011 matches) are all retained from last time out in Cardiff and all figured in that historic match at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
“We have been able to retain continuity in some key areas, we have been working hard and we feel we are approaching this match with the right attitude and with some good preparation work done,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.
“We are two sides who know each other well, Ireland will not have enjoyed losing to us in New Zealand, they will want to redress the balance in Dublin this weekend, but they will find us in just as determined mood.”

On the bench James Hook (Perpignan) joins the Williamses in providing cover for the backs and could win his 60thcap. Osprey Paul James joins Owens to provide front row cover and Sale Sharks No8 Andy Powell and Osprey Justin Tipuric complete the list of replacements. Dan Lydiate (ankle), Matthew Rees (calf) and Gethin Jenkins (knee) were unavailable for selection due to injury.

WALES: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; Rhys Priestland, Michael Phillips; Rhys Gill, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Ian Evans, Ryan Jones, Sam Warburton (C), Toby Faletau.
Replacements: Ken Owens, Paul James, Andy Powell, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Scott Williams

WALES
15 Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,060)
DoB: 22.12.88. 5’10” / 1.77m. 13st 2lbs / 83kgs
International record: 27 caps (W 12, L 15; 75 pts – 9T, 10PG)

14 Alex CUTHBERT (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,089)
DoB: 05.04.90. 6’6” / 1.98m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs
International record: 1 cap (L 1)

13 Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,066)
DoB: 05.04.88. 6’1” / 1.86m. 16st 3lb / 103kgs
International record: 21 caps (W 11, L 10; 25 pts – 5T)

12 Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,057)
DoB: 08.11.86. 6’4” / 1.93m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 39 caps (W 18, L 21; 20 pts – 4T)

11 George NORTH (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,078)
DoB: 13.04.92. 6’4” / 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs
International record: 16 caps (W 6, L 9, D 1; 45 pts – 9T)

10 Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,080)
DoB: 07.01.87 1.82m / 6’0”. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs
International record: 10 caps (W 6, L 4; 50 pts – 1T, 12C, 7PG)

9 Mike PHILLIPS (BAYONNE – Cap No 1,022)
DoB: 29.08.82. 6’3” / 1.91m. 15st 10lb / 101kgs
International record: 60 caps (W 28, L 29, D 2; 40 pts – 8T)

1 Rhys GILL (SARACENS – Cap No 1,073)
DoB: 30.10.86. 5’11” / 1.80m. 17st 2lbs / 109kgs
International record: 1 cap (L 1)

2 Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,017)
DoB: 11.06.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 16st 8lbs / 105kgs
International record: 49 caps (W 23, L 25, D 1)

3 Adam JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,018)
DoB: 08.03.81. 6’0” / 1.83m. 18st 12lb / 120kgs
International record: 75 caps (W 35, L 37, D 3; 10 pts – 2T)

4 Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065)
DoB: 09.01.87. 6’6” / 1.98m. 19st 1lbs / 121kgs
International record: 32 caps (W 14, L 17, D 1)

5 Ian EVANS (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,045)
DoB: 04.10.84. 6’8” / 2.04m. 18st 3lbs / 116kgs
International record: 17 caps (W 6, L 10, D 1; 5 pts – 1T)

6 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,029)
DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 58 caps (W 28, L 28, D 2; 5 pts – 1T)

7 Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,070)
DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6’2”. 16st 4lbs / 103kgs
International record: 24 caps (W 12, L 12; 10 pts – 2T)

8 Toby FALETAU (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,082)
DoB: 12.11.90. 1.88m / 6’2”. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 11 caps (W 5, L 6; 10 pts – 2T)

REPLACEMENTS:

16 Ken OWENS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,088)
DoB: 03.01.87. 6’1” / 1.86m. 17st 8lbs / 112kgs
International record: 1 cap (W 1)

17 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)
DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1” / 1.86m. 18st 2lbs / 115kgs
International record: 31 caps (W 12, L 18, D 1)

18 Andy POWELL (SALE SHARKS – Cap No 1,061)
DoB: 23.08.81. 6’4” / 1.94m. 18st 0lbs / 114kgs
International record: 22 caps (W 12, L 10; 5 pts – 1T)

19 Justin TIPURIC (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,086)
DoB: 06.08.89. 1.88m / 6’2” 15st 10lbs / 100kgs
International record: 2 caps (W 1, L 1)

20 Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,087)
DoB: 30.11.89. 6’0” / 1.83m. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs
International record: 5 caps (W 3, L 2; 10 pts – 2T)

21 James HOOK (PERPIGNAN – Cap No 1,047)
DoB: 27.06.85. 6’0” / 1.83m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs
International record: 59 caps (W 25, L 32, D 2; 326 pts – 12T, 40C, 58PG, 4DG)

22 Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,084)
DoB: 10.10.90. 6’0” / 1.83m. 15st 3lbs / 97kgs
International record: 8 caps (W 4, L 4; 20 pts – 4T)