New leader: Ryan Jones
Ospreys forward Ryan Jones will captain Wales from blindside flanker against France at the Stade de France on Saturday.
Regular captain Sam Warburton has been ruled out through injury, meaning Justin Tipuric has been brought in at openside to partner Jones.
The other change sees Ospreys hooker Richard Hibbard earn a start, with Matthew Rees dropping out of the 22 through injury.
Scarlets second-row Lou Reed earns a spot amongst the replacements ahead of Harlequins' Olly Kohn, with Aaron Shingler dropping to the bench.
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Ryan Jones (c), 5 Ian Evans, 4 Andrew Coombs, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Paul James, 18 Craig Mitchell, 19 Lou Reed, 20 Aaron Shingler, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 James Hook, 23 Scott Williams.
Date: Saturday, February 9:
Venue: Stade de France
Kick-off: 18.00 local (17.00 GMT)
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Alain Rolland (Ireland), Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)
Television match official: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
Comments
jontheref says...
Hooks kicking record for perpignan is pretty good, or doesn't that count?
Oh, it is in France, well guess what this game is too!
Unfortunately, the WRU will not sack Howley, even though they should.
he is more of an embarrassment than Gareth Jenkins was, and he was dumped!
Posted 10:42 08th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Hook was Wales's Dan Carter but turned into a "could have been" by poor selection decisions by former club and country coaches making him a victim of utility back syndrome.
Posted 23:02 07th February 2013
bluechief says...
james hook cant kick out of hand and doesn't pass. last time he played france in france, he could have tackled nallet from about 30 metres out but instead just watched the 2nd jog over him. then he got a kick charged down. hook is not the answer.
Posted 20:45 07th February 2013
pembs says...
I love your comments as well FISH. It makes me happy that they let peowith special needs use computers. The staff in your care home must be chuffed that
Posted 19:04 07th February 2013
FISH says...
i firmly believe wales will win just a feeling i have, but to be honest i hope france win
Posted 18:04 07th February 2013
dezz says...
@fish. Love the comments, always makes me laugh. I love it when people moan about everything, it certainly cheers me up. Keep the comments coming. Don't be put off from the other posters. Free speech and what not. We aren't quite living in a Marxist state yet. I'm Welsh and I think Wales will win on Saturday. Got to break the run sometime. What do you think?
Posted 17:38 07th February 2013
jimbosim says...
Lou Reed on the bench - A disaster decision, no guts, no dog at all. Ollie Kohn must be injured?
Posted 17:23 07th February 2013
Top_Kat says...
Why don't they just play Phillips at wing forward? He's got the physique and the pass from the base of a scrum of a wing forward.
Posted 16:49 07th February 2013
HG_Paris says...
Howely has fudged it again! We are going to get hammered!
Posted 16:42 07th February 2013
FISH says...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6z4WGjVMOI listen from 2 mins in..... poor form poor kicking
Posted 15:55 07th February 2013
FISH says...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6z4WGjVMOI yeah hes a great kicker.....spotty at best
Posted 15:54 07th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
If Wales do turn it around I guess Jones Lions Captain will be the next cry.
Posted 15:21 07th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Agree with Hook at 12. Doesn't need to do place kicks even at 10 with halfpenny there. Has to be more creative than Roberts who is not bashing well enough
Posted 15:20 07th February 2013
heathy says...
@ FISH - Jeeze mate, please please tell me why you are on this site? I really do want to know, honestly. Which country are you from? My guess it is one in the Southern Hemisphere. I have been following your threads and they are ALL, yes ALL trolls. You are at times, ill informed and at best you just slag off everybody and everything. Nothing constructive or contributing to debate. In fact, you could be talking about chess or tiddlywinks for all anybody would know. Why is it? Please tell me (and that is a serious question). Do you have that large a chip on your shoulder or is there some other reason? Did your father beat you as a kid or are you the sort that likes wacking your missus around a bit? You seem the sort.
Posted 15:19 07th February 2013
Cymro88 says...
@FISH - are you hell bent on trying to cause an argument with your ill minded and frankly idiotic comments?
Anyway, a Welsh team who knew no fear in the WC have been bought down to earth with a bump, just quite how they have lost their spark I do not know, but what I do know is that welsh management have to pick players on form and not on reputation.
Scott williams should start ahead of roberts as he has played better on avergae this season, Biggar should be kept at 10 and given his kicking duties back (bar the long distance ones) as he never plays well when he isn't kicking - noticed that drop in confidence!? Cuthbert is a defensive liability, Halfpenny should be moved to wing as he has more unpredictability (and balance) when running into the line or beating a man on the outside. Lee Byrne needs to go to full back as his line breaks have been superb in france and would give halfpenny / north something to run on to. North needs to have a kick up the arse as he just doesn't look for work from deep anymore. Bench warmer at toulon, Gethin Jenkins shouldnt start, it should be Paul James who is far more athletic at this moment in time. Philips should stay against the French as he will wind the hell out of who ever he plays against, bring lloyd willams on for last quarter.
Good to see Ryan coming back, he has been on fire with the ospreys, and pitty we don't see Andrew bishop getting a chance... solid and a good line breaker for the ospreys, would partner well with JD in the centers!
Posted 15:17 07th February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Oh dear oh dear, the words James Hook and poor place kicker don't go together. Ask any Leicester fan what they think of that comment.
Posted 15:02 07th February 2013
FISH says...
why is everyone calling for hook?? one of the worst place kickers in recent years and has even less to offer in other departments, poor tackler and not much on offense.....guess it goes to show how delusional welsh fans are....or is it more an indication of how the welsh have little to no depth in most positions
Posted 13:52 07th February 2013
westscon says...
No chance of Hook at 10? How about at 12 and bring in Roberts in 2nd half for Davies? Nothing quite like bringing on the battering ram when the opposition is getting tired. I like Byrne at fullback and Halfpenny at wing. The backs need a shake-up.
Posted 13:25 07th February 2013
Kent says...
If you pop down to the Vale hotel you'll see how little part Warburton has played in training and how much treatment he's getting.
On another note, the Welsh backs are mired in bish bosh whilst Phillips takes a fortnight to get his pass away.
Posted 13:12 07th February 2013
makemehappy says...
Hard to believe the comments about Gethin! Outstanding player, who needs some game time.
Generally looks like they've gone on form. Have to feel sorry for Walker though.
Show's that they don't think that Hook can control a game - he never could at the Ospreys, so no surprises there.
Posted 13:05 07th February 2013