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Jones wins flyhalf battle
04/03/2008 19:45 - (SA)
Cardiff - Stephen Jones has seen off the challenge of James Hook to start as Wales flyhalf in their Six Nations rugby union international away to Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
Jones starred in tournament leaders Wales's 47-8 record home win over Italy last month and that display helped ensure Hook stayed on the bench.
He is now set to win his 69th cap, with Jones just five points short of the 600-mark in Tests.
Warren Gatland, in his first season as Wales coach, has made four changes to his startling line-up.
The New Zealander has recalled scrumhalf Mike Phillips with Dwayne Peel on the bench for the unbeaten tournament leaders.
In the front-row both Huw Bennett at hooker and prop Adam Jones are recalled and Alun-Wyn Jones has recovered from injury to take up his place in the second-row in the final change to the starting line-up.
On the bench Duncan Jones and Matthew Rees provide front row cover with Rhys Thomas missing out, Ian Evans edges out Deiniol Jones and Gareth Delve retains his spot. Hook and Sonny Parker join Peel to provide cover for the backs.
Controversial circumstances
Wins over England, Scotland and Italy have left Wales top of the table and the only side in the tournament that can complete a Grand Slam this season.
Victory this weekend, in Wales's first visit to Croke Park, would secure the Triple Crown in a match that pits Gatland against Eddie O'Sullivan, the man who succeeded him as Ireland coach in controversial circumstances six years ago.
"A number of players have had a run-out for us in the first three games of the championship and selection in most areas could be put down to the toss of a coin which is testament to the effort the guys have put in," said Gatland.
"We have had to make a judgement call at scrumhalf, in the front row and in the second row, but it really is a close call for us in each of those positions as well as elsewhere in the team," said Gatland, who will hope his team are still going for a second Slam in three years when they face France in Cardiff on March 15.
Despite Wales's form, their coach said they would be underdogs against an Ireland side with Triple Crown and title ambitions of their own having lost just once, to France, so far in this season's Six Nations.
"Ireland are a fantastic side," said Gatland. "They have been a top five team in world rugby for a number of years and we have an opportunity to measure ourselves and find out where we are.
"We go there as underdogs - they have lost only one game themselves, in the dying minutes against France - and Croke Park will be an intimidating place but we must not be daunted by the task at hand."
Gatand handed Ireland flyhalf Ronan O'Gara his Test debut and the Wales coach said the visitors would have to be wary of the in-form No 10.
"If we don't keep a tight rein on him it could be a long day for us. We will be showing Ronan and his side the utmost respect.
Wales wing Shane Williams, who has scored 10 tries in his last seven Tests , needs one try to equal Gareth Thomas's Wales record of 40 tries.
Wales team:
Wales team to play Ireland in a Six Nations rugby union international at Croke Park, Dublin, on Saturday (13:15GMT kick-off):
(15-1)
Lee Byrne; Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, Gavin Henson, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Michael Phillips; Ryan Jones (capt), Martyn Williams; Jonathan Thomas; Alun-Wyn Jones, Ian Gough; Adam Jones, Huw Bennett, Gethin Jenkins
Replacements: Matthew Rees, Duncan Jones, Ian Evans, Gareth Delve, Dwayne Peel, James Hook, Sonny Parker
- SAPA
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