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Six Nations 2013: Wales will keep same team v Italy - Rob Howley

Last updated on .From the section Welsh Rugbycomments121

Sam Warburton

Rob Howley has given a vote of confidence to the Wales team that beat France by announcing the same XV will start the next Six Nations clash against Italy on 23 February.

It means championship captain Sam Warburton, who missed the Paris match with an injury, will miss out.

Howley said: "I have told the players the same fifteen will start in Italy.

"I think it is pretty important from a coach's perspective that we reward the players who've gone out on the field."

He added: "I thought Ryan Jones was outstanding in terms of his leadership and it is a just reward that he captains the side against Italy."

Highlights: France 6-16 Wales

Jones took over the captaincy after Warburton had led Wales in the 30-22 defeat by Ireland in the first round of matches.

Warburton's open-side slot went to Justin Tipuric, who had an impressive game in an effective Welsh back row as France were beaten 16-6 - ending a run of eight successive defeats for Wales.

Howley said he had told all the players of his decision to stick with the same starting line up on Tuesday morning - one week ahead of the scheduled team announcement.

He added that he had discussed the move with Warburton directly.

"Obviously I've spoken to Sam," he said.

"He has taken it very positively. Obviously he stays with us, he's part of the squad, and he'll be a fantastic captain in years to come.

"But for this game, on the back of our performance in France I think it's important that we said same again."

Lock Alun Wyn Jones, who returned to action for the Ospreys on Friday night, was called back into the 36-man Wales squad on Tuesday.

But the Wales and Lions second row can now only expect to make the replacements' bench in Rome.

Howley said that players outside the starting XV could be released to play for their regions this weekend.

Players based outside Wales have already been released back to their clubs, including Bayonne scrum half Mike Phillips and Toulon prop Gethin Jenkins, who both started against France.

Wales: L Halfpenny, A Cuthbert, J Davies, J Roberts, G North, D Biggar, M Phillips; G Jenkins, R Hibbard, A Jones, A Coombs, I Evans, R Jones (captain), J Tipuric, T Faletau.

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121 comments

  • Comment posted by Eman Yalpisd, at 16:39 12 Feb 2013

    Agree with rewarding the same 15 but not the timing. The players not knowing would have added to the intensity of training which can only be a good thing.
    Would like to see Byrne at fullback at some point, has been playing really well at club level and his angles of running could really add something to the attack.
    Would also like to see Williams at 9 for a full half, not just 10mins

  • Comment posted by U14626596, at 14:25 13 Feb 2013

    @99 you're watching the game on television. When Mike "waits waits" as you call it, the ball is already slow and the defence has already lined up. Slow ball isn't Mike's fault, but he's smart enough to consider his options when it is without just shovelling out to the fly half. When it's quick, the fly half gets quick ball - 2nd half Ireland.

  • Comment posted by U14626596, at 14:12 13 Feb 2013

    @97 actually I said set plays off set-piece ball (scrums, lineout) everybody needs to sing from the same hymn sheet even NZ. Off slow ball Spikey will do his two steps to give him options. Not having quick ruck ball is not Mike's fault it depends on forwards clearing out. It was done against Ireland. Mike can pass quickly from the base if he gets quick ball. He's won 2 GS

  • Comment posted by Neath in NZ, at 10:10 13 Feb 2013

    Hook not Biggar

    Lloyd Williams scrum half has got to be the way to go, it is a simple game get the ball out to the backs.

    Lastly WRU should take steps to ensure that the players sing the anthem with conviction it is not all about tactics it is about pride and dog.

    Compulsory reading for all Welsh international Dai Morris' book The Shadow shows what commitment is all about.

  • Comment posted by U14352397, at 08:45 13 Feb 2013

    @79. Hook is playing in France and is not as available as much as Dan. I think Dan is doing well and with more time and experience he will only get better.....and he's only 23!

    Think people have really short memories here. Wasn't long ago when everyone wanted to drop Hook.

  • Comment posted by 8Neill, at 22:28 12 Feb 2013

    @67 If you don't care what other people are saying, why should we care what you say?
    Yes, Phillips is not a natural 9 in the traditional sense but he offers (to quote a cliche) the X factor.I think Williams has been steady but not offered a great deal.If your forwards are losing the contact then any scrumhalf will look off form.
    Hook is better used off the bench - change game if needed.

  • Comment posted by Roll on springtime, at 19:26 12 Feb 2013

    Common sense decision this time - Sam is a fantastic player and will serve again. It's an indication of a good team when players like Sam can't make the first choice.
    Great player to have available on the bench, he will be needed.

  • Comment posted by Geoff Lock, at 19:10 12 Feb 2013

    Just goes toshow that no matter who you are, you have to put in the work to get into the team. You cannot rest on your laurels. Ryan Jones did an excellant job as captain and he could be leading Wales for some time yet.If Sam Warburton wants the captaincy or even a place in the team for that matter, then he will have to up the work rate and commitment. Good to have him on the bench though.

  • Comment posted by Gokikia, at 15:53 12 Feb 2013

    @13
    That is definitely your theory mate. No one else's.

  • Comment posted by Neil, at 15:52 12 Feb 2013

    @13, where did you get that "gem" from, startling insight akin to the Daily Fail!

  • Comment posted by Patrick, at 15:49 12 Feb 2013

    Can understand where Howley is coming from but saying the team so early can only help Italy prepare on a gameplan. Would have liked to see Eli Walker get an opportunity also.

  • Comment posted by Neil, at 15:22 12 Feb 2013

    Doesnt seem an official announcement, if you read the article, Howley has told the players:

    "Howley said: "I have told the players the same fifteen will start in Italy."

    To me this is a vague inhouse statement, there are other factors to consider, like input from other coaches. Wait for the official announcement bfore passing judgement.

  • Comment posted by stevey, at 15:10 12 Feb 2013

    Warburton hasn't been at his best for a while, he was poor against Ireland and form wise, shouldn't be in the starting XV anyway. Good to see Wales have learned from the mistake they made with Rhys Priestland. Picking a player who isn't in form only damages their confidence anyway, better to let them have time to get their head in gear

  • Comment posted by Robert Howells, at 17:16 13 Feb 2013

    @102 what a wit .... saddening case

  • Comment posted by U15193807, at 16:38 13 Feb 2013

    @103 England are going to blow the Grand Slam against France next time out.....

    @104 Yes lets.... cant wait for Wales to snatch the championship from the clutches of England!!

  • Comment posted by U15467383, at 15:41 13 Feb 2013

    @99 read @101 he knows what he's talking about. The crime in the Welsh team are the amount of men we commit to the ruck and the tendency to clog up the ball. MP spends most of his time digging it out. if the tackled player presented long and the first 3 men in, clear out, (too much bridging going on too early at the breakdown), we would have quick ball all day. Then watch the options open up!!

  • Comment posted by Andrew, at 14:49 13 Feb 2013

    HERSH

    You mean after England blow the Grand Slam on Mar 16...

  • Comment posted by U13800278, at 14:01 13 Feb 2013

    @92 Specific is this. At rucks when the ball is available, MP waits and waits and then passes the ball out to the backs. During "wait wait" the defense has time to reorganise. Getting thru a flat defensive line is very difficult (forcing a kick thru, gifting opp possession). Fast ball without wait = defense has no time to reorganise and is "broken". Ideal scenario for backs to tear to shreds.

  • Comment posted by U15467383, at 13:18 13 Feb 2013

    Can someone be specific about MP is slow. Slow, how? He gets to the breakdown on time and delivers. He has a varied game, kick, break, 2 steps to flat pass to 10 but thats a tactic that works if JR comes off the 10 at pace and it won a GS! Watch the games, RW has a good short pass from the floor but usually to a forward on a pick & go, state facts don't just repeat what the heard are saying.

  • Comment posted by U15614382, at 11:13 13 Feb 2013

    Although Mike Phillips is a huge presence on the field, his service is too slow. The pace of Wales' game picked up as soon as Lloyd Williams came on last week.

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