Wales coach Warren Gatland has named Dragons’ stars Rhys Thomas and Luke Charteris in his starting lineup for the crucial RBS 6 Nations match against Italy a week Saturday.
Alun-Wyn Jones will captain Wales - leading a side which retains just five players from the one which lost to France last Friday night in the first RBS 6 Nations defeat of head coach Warren Gatland's reign.
The Ospreys lock joins Blues No8 Andy Powell as the only forwards to keep their places, whilst in the backs Ospreys pair full back Lee Byrne and wing Shane Williams feature again with Blues back Jamie Roberts moving wider to outside-centre.
Gavin Henson partners Roberts in midfield and Blues centre Tom Shanklin moves to the bench. Scarlets flier Mark Jones returns on the wing in place of Leigh Halfpenny and the halfback partnership of Dwayne Peel (Sale Sharks) and James Hook (Ospreys), last seen against South Africa in November 2007, is re-formed with both Mike Phillips (Ospreys) and Stephen Jones (Scarlets) acting as replacements.
Jones becomes Wales' 127th captain and leads the side from the second row where he partners Dragon Luke Charteris.
Squad captain Ryan Jones also moves to the bench making way for fellow Osprey Jonathan Thomas, whilst Scarlets flanker Dafydd Jones replaces Martyn Williams to complete the back row trio.
Matthew Rees (Scarlets) and Gethin Jenkins (Blues) provide the front row cover and Blues lock Bradley Davies is in with the chance of winning his second cap after coming on as a replacement against Scotland.
"We have made a series of changes with no disrespect to Italy," said Gatland. "If we are to consistently be one of the top four or five teams in the world we need to back the depth in our squad, we have made changes but there are arguments to say we are stronger in certain positions.
"If I was playing against Italy I would be excited about both the opportunity which presents itself and, looking around me, about the team which has been selected.
"We have come a long way in the last 12 months and achieved a fantastic amount, but the best teams in the world develop depth of experience in their squad and back themselves.”
WALES: Lee Byrne; Mark Jones, Jamie Roberts, Gavin Henson, Shane Williams; James Hook, Dwayne Peel; John Yapp, Huw Bennett, Rhys Thomas, Luke Charteris, Alun-Wyn Jones (Capt), Jonathan Thomas, Dafydd Jones, Andy Powell
REPLACEMENTS: Matthew Rees, Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies, Ryan Jones, Mike Phillips, Stephen Jones, Tom Shanklin
Alun-Wyn Jones will captain Wales - leading a side which retains just five players from the one which lost to France last Friday night in the first RBS 6 Nations defeat of head coach Warren Gatland's reign.
The Ospreys lock joins Blues No8 Andy Powell as the only forwards to keep their places, whilst in the backs Ospreys pair full back Lee Byrne and wing Shane Williams feature again with Blues back Jamie Roberts moving wider to outside-centre.
Gavin Henson partners Roberts in midfield and Blues centre Tom Shanklin moves to the bench. Scarlets flier Mark Jones returns on the wing in place of Leigh Halfpenny and the halfback partnership of Dwayne Peel (Sale Sharks) and James Hook (Ospreys), last seen against South Africa in November 2007, is re-formed with both Mike Phillips (Ospreys) and Stephen Jones (Scarlets) acting as replacements.
Jones becomes Wales' 127th captain and leads the side from the second row where he partners Dragon Luke Charteris.
Squad captain Ryan Jones also moves to the bench making way for fellow Osprey Jonathan Thomas, whilst Scarlets flanker Dafydd Jones replaces Martyn Williams to complete the back row trio.
Matthew Rees (Scarlets) and Gethin Jenkins (Blues) provide the front row cover and Blues lock Bradley Davies is in with the chance of winning his second cap after coming on as a replacement against Scotland.
"We have made a series of changes with no disrespect to Italy," said Gatland. "If we are to consistently be one of the top four or five teams in the world we need to back the depth in our squad, we have made changes but there are arguments to say we are stronger in certain positions.
"If I was playing against Italy I would be excited about both the opportunity which presents itself and, looking around me, about the team which has been selected.
"We have come a long way in the last 12 months and achieved a fantastic amount, but the best teams in the world develop depth of experience in their squad and back themselves.”
WALES: Lee Byrne; Mark Jones, Jamie Roberts, Gavin Henson, Shane Williams; James Hook, Dwayne Peel; John Yapp, Huw Bennett, Rhys Thomas, Luke Charteris, Alun-Wyn Jones (Capt), Jonathan Thomas, Dafydd Jones, Andy Powell
REPLACEMENTS: Matthew Rees, Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies, Ryan Jones, Mike Phillips, Stephen Jones, Tom Shanklin
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