Gatland urges unchanged Wales to grab shot at glory
Warren Gatland admits “the prize is massive” when Wales go for Six Nations title and Grand Slam glory against Ireland in Cardiff tomorrow.
The Wales head coach has named an unchanged team as his unbeaten tournament leaders chase a first Six Nations title since 2013 and first Grand Slam for seven years.
Full-back Liam Williams, pictured, has recovered from a shoulder injury that forced him off against Scotland last weekend to start, while skipper Alun Wyn Jones equals prop Gethin Jenkins’ appearance record for Wales and the British and Irish Lions of 134 Tests.
If Wales slip up, Ireland will win the Six Nations with victory if Scotland beat England at Twickenham tomorrow. Ireland were the last side to topple Gatland’s men 13 months ago, since when Wales have embarked on a nationalrecord 13 successive Test wins. “We have spoken all week about embracing it and not running away from it,” Gatland said. “We know what is at stake, and the prize is massive.”
Tadhg Beirne will make his Six Nations debut for Ireland, the 27-year-old Munster second row slotting in at lock for just his fifth cap, with Iain Henderson missing out due to knee trouble.
Sean O’brien also returns at openside flanker having been omitted from the win over France last weekend. He replaces Josh Van Der Flier, who is out with a groin issue. Full-back Rob Kearney has shaken off a calf complaint to start but Joey Carbery misses out due to a hamstring injury, so Connacht’s Jack Carty covers stand-off from the bench.
Meanwhile, France coach Jacques Brunel kept faith with his captain but made six changes to his team for tomorrow’s match against Italy in Rome.
Following a report in L’equipe that Brunel tried to take the captaincy away from Guilhem Guirado after England humiliated them 44-8 a month ago, Brunel said the hooker will remain skipper until the end of the Rugby World Cup this year. Wesley Fofana starts in midfield in place of Gael Fickou, and Maxime Medard is at full-back. Injured prop Jefferson Poirot is replaced by Etienne Falgoux, who earns his first start. Paul Willemse returns in the second row while Gregory Alldritt and Yacouba Camara start in the back row.
Italy coach Conor O’shea has made five changes to the side thrashed by England 57-14 last week. Leonardo Ghiraldini, Tiziano Pasquali, David Sisi and Jake Polledri have been promoted from the bench into the pack, while centre Marco Zanon will make his debut. WALES TEAM: L Williams; G North, J Davies, H Parkes, J Adams; G Anscombe, G Davies; R Evans, K Owens, T Francis, A Beard, A W Jones (c), J Navidi, J Tipuric, R Moriarty. Substitutes: E Dee, N Smith, D Lewis, J Ball, A Wainwright, A Davies, D Biggar, O Watkin.
IRELAND TEAM: R Kearney, K Earls, G Ringrose, B Aki, J Stockdale, J Sexton, C Murray; CJ Stander, S O’brien, P O’mahony, J Ryan, T Beirne, T Furlong, R Best (c), C Healy. Substitutes: N Scannell, D Kilcoyne, A Porter, Q Roux, J Conan, K Marmion, J Carty, J Larmour.