Gatland admits he’s hooked on risk game

WALES are blooding prop Aaron Jarvis as an emergency hooker.

Warren Gatland admits he has “gambled” by picking just two hookers in his squad. England’s other pool rivals Australia have done the same and both countries run the risk of being docked points if they are unable to fi eld a suitably experienced front row.

Nations have 48 hours before a game to call up a replacement, but only if a player is ruled out of the tournament. “We are doing some scrummaging and lineouts with Aaron to make sure he is comfortable,” said Gatland, above.

“We are taking a little bit of a risk but so are most teams. The All Blacks have only three locks while others have gone for two nines or tens. Every team is exposed in some area.” Wales will give their star backs another run against Italy in Cardiff on Saturday with Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert and George North all starting.

Sam Warburton plays his fi rst warm- up game and Cory Allen his fi rst Test for 10 months after shoulder surgery.

WALES:

purple patch as the Giants crossed four times in 10 minutes while Castleford’s Mike McMeeken was in the sin- bin.

It was a damaging defeat for the visitors but a step closer towards sealing a top- four fi nish for Huddersfi eld as they bid to book a maiden Grand Final appearance.

Luke Dorn, Ben Roberts and Denny Solomona all scored in a spirited second- half response from the Tigers. But Ukuma Ta’ai’s second try of the match and one each from Jamie Ellis and Eorl Crabtree – in his 400th appearance – snubbed out any last fl ickers of resistance.

HUDDERSFIELD – Tries:

CASTLEFORD – Tries:

Goals:

Goals: