SM
Chelsea vs. Celtic: 4 hrs 33 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Team News: Rhys Priestland picked at number 10

:Headline: Team News: Rhys Priestland picked at number 10: ID:3166: from db_amp
Rhys Priestland comes in at number 10 for Wales's opening Sprinboks clash.

Wales have picked Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland at number 10 for their Rugby World Cup opening game against South Africa.

The 24-year-old partners with Mike Phillips in the half-backs as cover for injured Scarlets teammate Stephen Jones, in a team that shows three changes to the XV that beat England 19-9 at the Millennium Stadium last month.

Utility back James Hook is overlooked for kicker but replaces Lee Byrne as fullback, while Jamie Roberts continues his centre partnership with Jonathan Davies.

19-year-old Scarlets player George North retains his wing partnership with veteran Shane Williams, as Leigh Halfpenny is left on the bench.

In the pack, Adam Jones gets a start in the front row with hooker Huw Bennett and fellow Ospreys prop Paul James.

Locks Luke Charteris and Alun Wyn Jones are flanked by captain Sam Warburton and Dan Lydiate, while Toby Faletu comes in at number eight to cover for the injured Ryan Jones.

"We are going into this game looking for a win," said coach Warren Gatland. "If you get the world champions in your pool you want to play them first up and throw everything you've got at them.

"We've got the toughest group in the competition, but we know if we can come through we will be in good shape. The players have done everything we have asked of them so far, they have worked incredibly hard."

Wales: Hook, North, J Davies, Roberts, Shane Williams, Priestland, Phillips, James, Bennett, A Jones, Charteris, AW Jones, Lydiate, Warburton (c), Faletau.

Replacements: Burns, Bevington, B Davies, Powell, Knoyle, Scott Williams, Halfpenny.

amp_article__3166 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2011-09-09 08:45:23:
html db last update - 2011-09-09 08:45:23 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .