Forward thinking: Rob Howley
Wales interim head coach Rob Howley has quelled speculation by naming the same starting XV that won in Paris last weekend.
The move means that flanker Sam Warburton and lock Alun Wyn Jones will have to start from the bench after returning from injury.
Wales will once again be lead by flanker Ryan Jones, who replaced Warburton for the victory over France.
Alun Wyn Jones only returned from injury last Friday in a 30 minute appearance for the Ospreys in their win over Ulster.
"I have told the players the same XV will start in Italy," said Howley.
"I think it is pretty important from a coach's perspective that we reward the players who have gone out on the field.
"I thought Ryan Jones was outstanding in terms of his leadership and it is a just reward that he captains the side against Italy."
Comments
jontheref says...
I'm not one of Howleys fans, but give the guy a break.
I'm glad he has the guts to see he had his best backrowout there, and is giving them a chance to do it again.
I think he could still make changes to improve the team, but this is a start in taking the blinkers off.
I doubt he will change the backs, even if Wales lose in Italy, as he has set his stall out to what he thinks is his best team.
This set of guys got him out of a hole, and he is rewarding them.
Good to see.
Posted 02:31 15th February 2013
jamesliveinhope says...
why would you call the team so early? As a former premiership season ticket holder I got used to the fact that the team in the programme (printed on a Wednesday) would bear little resemblance to the team announced the day before the game (typically Friday) which in turn would have been tweaked by the time the team took to the field.
Maybe this is kidology on the part of Howley, maybe there is to be a complete overhaul of the playing squad and style and Howley wants to ensure that the opposition has prepared for the usual muscle-bound midfield only to find a team of ball players has turned up.
Posted 08:41 13th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Yeah I was joking. Thought it was lovely to see both Howley smiling and later find out it was Norths dad.
Posted 08:37 13th February 2013
Kent says...
Daft call so early. Needs to pick the best side to win that particular game
Posted 21:23 12th February 2013
PontySurrey says...
Armchair General:
1.Gatland
2. Since when do the Wales management have responsibility for unruly fans?
3.Poor displays before Paris explained by a dreadful run of injuries and the inevitable consequences of the poor "handover" between Gatland and Howley.
Posted 21:20 12th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Another thing. I though they might have switched Bish for Bash at 12 and put Bosh in at 13 or 14, with Bash dropping to the bench for more of the same impact.
Posted 20:27 12th February 2013
scrumpoacher says...
@Armchair A guys dad runs onto the pitch and someone makes a phone call-I hope you are being sarcastic!
Posted 19:33 12th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Ah yes but two important questions: who was Howley on the phone to when on the pitch celebrating? Was it really the time to be making calls? i hope he does not expense social calls like that... And secondly will George Norths Dad be banned from Cardiff for running onto the pitch to hug George during the game? Serious discipline issues on both counts that explain Wales's poor run before Paris.
Posted 14:39 12th February 2013