Warburton on bench for Italy clash

Sam Warburton has been named on the Wales replacements’ bench for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Italy in Rome.

Warburton on bench for Italy clash

Sam Warburton has been named on the Wales replacements’ bench for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash against Italy in Rome.

Wales’ interim head coach Rob Howley confirmed his list of substitutes today after giving a resounding vote of confidence last week to the team that beat France 16-6 and ended an eight-Test losing run.

Warburton, Wales’ 2011 World Cup captain who led them to Six Nations title and Grand Slam glory last season, missed the Stade de France encounter because of a shoulder injury.

His fellow back-row forward Ryan Jones took over as skipper, with Justin Tipuric wearing the number seven shirt for a game that saw Wales claim their first victory in Paris since 2005.

Warburton is now fit for a return to action, and he will be joined on the bench by Ospreys lock Alun-Wyn Jones.

Jones suffered a shoulder injury during the Millennium Stadium defeat against Argentina three months ago, and he subsequently underwent surgery.

But he was called into Wales’ Six Nations squad last week and has made a couple of comeback appearances for the Ospreys, confirming his fitness.

Cardiff Blues lock Lou Reed and Scarlets flanker Aaron Shingler drop out of the match-day 23 on duty against France, with Howley’s bench contingent boasting a total of 264 caps.

Victory for Wales at the Stadio Olimpico would keep them firmly in the Six Nations title race ahead of their remaining fixtures next month against Scotland and England.

Team: L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), J Davies (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), G North (Scarlets); D Biggar (Ospreys), M Phillips (Bayonne); G Jenkins (Toulon), R Hibbard (Ospreys), A Jones (Ospreys), A Coombs (Newport Gwent Dragons), I Evans (Ospreys), R Jones (Ospreys, capt), J Tipuric (Ospreys), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: K Owens (Scarlets), P James (Bath), C Mitchell (Exeter), A-W Jones (Ospreys), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues), L Williams (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Perpignan), S Williams (Scarlets).

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Louis Rees-Zammit file photo Former Wales star Rees-Zammit to join Kansas City Chiefs in NFL
Aoife Wafer celebrates after scoring a try with Neve Jones 23/3/2024 Like Ireland's defence, Declan Danaher is bedding in nicely
Peter O'Mahony 26/3/2024 Returning Ireland stars to boost Munster ahead of 'business end of season'
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited