Welsh stick with grand slam group

Updated June 07, 2012 16:09:51

Six Nations champions Wales made four changes to their Grand Slam-clinching team for Saturday's first rugby Test against the embattled Wallabies at Lang Park.

The Welsh have their best chance in 42 years to win on Australian soil after sending their strongest available team to Brisbane a week ago to enjoy a better preparation for the three-Test series than the home side.

Stand-in coach Rob Howley has been able to select a side close to that which beat France 16-9 in Cardiff in March to claim the Six Nations undefeated.

Hooker Ken Owens replaces Matthew Rees, Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris form a new second-row while the in-form Scott Williams replaces sidelined centre star Jamie Roberts (knee).

While the first-choice Welsh players travelled to Australia as their second-string side beat the Barbarians 30-21 last weekend at Cardiff, the Wallabies fell to an embarrassing 9-6 loss to Scotland in Newcastle on Tuesday night.

"Australia will be disappointed after their defeat to Scotland, but that will make them all the more dangerous for us," said Howley.

"The Wallabies are still the second highest-placed side in the world rankings and we are playing them in their own backyard."

The Welsh have lost their past four Tests to the Wallabies, including the bronze playoff for third place at last October's World Cup in New Zealand and a 24-18 defeat in Cardiff in December.

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, George North, Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips, Gethin Jenkins, Ken Owens, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (capt), Toby Faletau. Res: Matthew Rees, Paul James, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Ashley Beck.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, australia, qld, brisbane-4000, wales

First posted June 07, 2012 16:09:51

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Wales sweep to grand slam with win over France

Updated March 18, 2012 08:05:44

Wales swept to its third Six Nations grand slam in eight seasons on Sunday (AEDT) and its 11th overall in the European championship with a 16-9 win over France in Cardiff.

Flanker Dan Lydiate, the outstanding Welsh player of the tournament, was named man-of-the-match for a series of thunderous tackles, one of which forced the turnover which led to the only try of the match.

Lydiate jolted the ball out of France captain Thierry Dusautoir's hands midway through the first half. Wales quickly recycled and right wing Alex Cuthbert brought the capacity 72,000 crowd at the Millennium Stadium to their feet by cutting inside to score.

England's revival under caretaker coach Stuart Lancaster after their embarrassments on and off the field at the World Cup in New Zealand last year continued with an emphatic 30-9 win over Ireland at Twickenham to secure second place.

Lancaster's chances of succeeding Martin Johnson as the permanent England coach were further boosted by another vibrant display by his young side who completely dominated the second half at a rain-drenched Twickenham.

At the other end of the table, Scotland lost the battle to avoid the wooden spoon when Italy prevailed 13-6 in Rome.

Promise fulfilled

Cardiff was awash with Welsh fans anticipating another triumph for a young team fulfilling the promise it showed at the World Cup.

France had won seven of its last eight games against the Welsh, including a one-point victory in the World Cup semi-final after captain Sam Warburton was sent off.

Warburton left the field with a shoulder injury at half-time on Sunday (AEDT) but his replacement, former skipper Ryan Jones, underlined the depth of talent available for coach Warren Gatland with a storming performance.

"We knew we were pretty fit and there's no real fear factor," Gatland said. "These guys have been a real credit to themselves, Wales and Welsh rugby."

Defending champions England overwhelmed a tough and experienced Ireland forward pack in the scrums, further evidence of the improvements Lancaster and his coaching team have made in their brief time together.

After leading by three points at half-time, the England eight won a penalty try after pouring on the pressure near the Irish line and replacement scrum-half Ben Youngs raced through a gap to score from a quick tap and run after yet another scrum penalty,

"We were outstanding in every department," Lancaster said. "At the outset there was a long-term plan, it was around giving some young players some experience but they showed great belief."

Lancaster would not be drawn into speculating on his chances of securing the fulltime England job. "That's for others to decide," he said.

The final weekend of the championship began in bright spring sunshine at the Stadio Olimpico with Italy and Scotland fighting to avoid bottom place in the championship.

Italy deservedly won a turgid match 13-6 with wing Giovanbattista Vendetti scoring the only try of the game in the second half. It was the first victory for its French coach Jacques Brunel who took over after the World Cup.

Scotland did its cause no favours by losing Nick De Luca and Jim Hamilton to the sin bin and coach Andy Robinson's future does not look bright although he is contracted until 2015.

Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, wales, united-kingdom

First posted March 18, 2012 08:05:44

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