Charteris in line to make 6 Nations debut
Luke Charteris is in line to become the latest Dragons player to represent Wales in the RBS 6 Nations championship after being selected among the replacements for Wales' opening game of the 2009 tournament against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.
Warren Gatland has kept faith with the pack that started the last game, a win over Australia, for the launch of Wales' title defence in Edinburgh, but has included Charteris in his match-day 22. The 25-year-old has nine caps to date.
Cardiff Blues duo Leigh Halfpenny an d Andy Powell will make their Six Nations debuts as part of the starting XV.
“We have tried to select on form but we had close calls to make throughout the squad and selection is always down to a matter of opinion," said Gatland. " Now we wait and see if those players selected can prove those opinions correct."
But the Welsh coach advises caution in the run-up to Sunday’s game. "We know the nation expects, but we will not be complacent, we will be on our guard, he said. Teams have gone to Scotland in the past and been over confident and expected a result, but the Scots will be looking forward to taking us on and if we take the challenge lightly we will be playing straight into their hands.
"They are a much-improved outfit over the last 12 months and they have the talent and the ability to turn teams over. "
Wales: Lee Byrne; Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts, Gavin Henson, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Michael Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Ian Gough, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones (captain), Martyn Williams, Andy Powell
Replacements: Huw Bennett, John Yapp, Luke Charteris, Dafydd Jones, Dwayne Peel, James Hook, Tom Shanklin
Wales: Lee Byrne; Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts, Gavin Henson, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Michael Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Ian Gough, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones (captain), Martyn Williams, Andy Powell
Replacements: Huw Bennett, John Yapp, Luke Charteris, Dafydd Jones, Dwayne Peel, James Hook, Tom Shanklin
Luke Charteris is in line to become the latest Dragons player to represent Wales in the RBS 6 Nations championship after being selected among the replacements for Wales' opening game of the 2009 tournament against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.
Warren Gatland has kept faith with the pack that started the last game, a win over Australia, for the launch of Wales' title defence in Edinburgh, but has included Charteris in his match-day 22. The 25-year-old has nine caps to date.
Cardiff Blues duo Leigh Halfpenny an d Andy Powell will make their Six Nations debuts as part of the starting XV.
“We have tried to select on form but we had close calls to make throughout the squad and selection is always down to a matter of opinion," said Gatland. " Now we wait and see if those players selected can prove those opinions correct."
But the Welsh coach advises caution in the run-up to Sunday’s game. "We know the nation expects, but we will not be complacent, we will be on our guard, he said. Teams have gone to Scotland in the past and been over confident and expected a result, but the Scots will be looking forward to taking us on and if we take the challenge lightly we will be playing straight into their hands.
"They are a much-improved outfit over the last 12 months and they have the talent and the ability to turn teams over. "
Wales: Lee Byrne; Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts, Gavin Henson, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Michael Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Ian Gough, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones (captain), Martyn Williams, Andy Powell
Replacements: Huw Bennett, John Yapp, Luke Charteris, Dafydd Jones, Dwayne Peel, James Hook, Tom Shanklin
Wales: Lee Byrne; Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts, Gavin Henson, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Michael Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Ian Gough, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones (captain), Martyn Williams, Andy Powell
Replacements: Huw Bennett, John Yapp, Luke Charteris, Dafydd Jones, Dwayne Peel, James Hook, Tom Shanklin
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Sunday 8th Feb 2009 |
3.00pm |
Murrayfield |
Scotland v Wales |
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Saturday 14th Feb 2009 |
5.30pm |
Millennium Stadium |
Wales v England |
|
Friday 27th Feb 2009 |
9.00pm |
Stade de France |
France v Wales |
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Saturday 14th March 2009 |
4.00pm |
Stadio Flaminio |
Italy v Wales |
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Saturday 21st March 2009 |
5.30pm |
Millennium Stadium |
Wales v Ireland |
