Wales drop Warburton

Wales drop Warburton

14 Nov 2012

Wales skipper Sam Warburton has been dropped to the bench for Friday’s Test against Samoa.

Justin Tipuric will start at openside in Warburton’s place, while Ryan Jones will lead the team.

‘With a short, six-day turnaround it was important for us to freshen things up and also make use of the competition for places we have within this squad, something which has been a key ingredient for the success of the squad over the last 18 months,’ said interim Wales coach Rob Howley.

Howley has made eight changes in all to the side that started against Argentina last week. Jones replaces the injured Josh Turnbull, lock Bradley Davies comes in for Alun Wyn Jones, while hooker Richard Hibbard and prop Paul James are promoted to the front row.

In the backs, scrumhalf Mike Phillips and flyhalf Dan Biggar are given starts, as is centre Ashley Beck.

Wales – 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Ashley Beck, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Ryan Jones (c), 5 Ian Evans, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Paul James
Subs: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Luke Charteris, 20 Sam Warburton, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Scott Williams.

Samoa – 15 Fa’atoina Autagavaia; 14 Paul Perez, 13 George Pisi, 12 Paul Williams, 11 David Lemi (c); 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i; 8 Taiasina Tuifua, 7 Maurie Fa’asavalu, 6 Ofisa Treviranus; 5 Teofilo Paulo, 4 Daniel Leo; 3 Census Johnston, 2 Wayne Ole Avei, 1 Sakaria Taulafo
Subs: 16 Ti’i Paulo, 17 Viliamu Afatia, 18 James Johnston, 19 TBA, 20 Tivaini Fomai, 21 Jeremy Su’a, 22 Johnny Leota, 23 Robert Lilomaiava.


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