I need my team to be ‘rugby ready’ – Gatland

WARREN Gatland has explained the reasoning behind naming such a star-studded Welsh team for the final Rugby World Cup warm-up game against Ireland in Dublin tomorrow.

The Wales coach says he needs his top stars to be “rugby-ready” with game-time behind them so they can hit the ground running in the tournament opener with Georgia.

The New Zealander has completely ripped up his team-sheet from the one that started last Saturday’s 22-17 defeat to Ireland at the Principality Stadium.

Among the 15 changes kicking off the clash at the Aviva Stadium sees the return of second-row colossus Alun Wyn Jones, to win his 128th Welsh cap.

He joins a Welsh forward lineup that has Ross Moriarty packing down at No.8 after his recent hip knock.

Openside flanker Justin Tipuric, who hasn’t played since limping off at Twickenham on August 11 with an ankle problem, also starts against Joe Schmidt’s side.

And it’s the lack of game- time for some of his 2019 Grand Slam regulars that has prompted Gatland to name such a strong looking line-up.

Having already lost Gareth Anscombe, Wales are desperate to avoid injuries to any more of their key men ahead of the World Cup.

But Gatland isn’t wrapping his stars in cotton wool.

“This is our final preparation match, so it is important we get enough rugby into us, get rugby ready ahead of our World Cup opener against Georgia which is just over two weeks’ away,” he explained.

“It is important we hit the ground running in Japan and we give the players enough time on the field.”

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