James Hook has won the race to play in the pivotal position of outside half as Wales attempt to complete a Six Nations Grand Slam at home to France on Saturday.
Stephen Jones started at stand off in Wales' last two wins, over Italy and Ireland, after Hook had been the man running out at 10 in the victories against England and Scotland.
Now new Wales coach Warren Gatland has opted for Hook, whose creative talents could shine against a France side that have shown a fondness for attacking rugby under their new boss, Marc Lievremont.
PHOTO: REUTERS
"We have a historic opportunity and we intend to grasp it with both hands," said New Zealander Gatland, one victory away from steering his adopted country to a Grand Slam in his first season in charge.
"Just like every game, we have looked at the 10 situation and who would do the best job for the game. We have afforded ourselves the luxury of bringing in James Hook," he said.
"We have spoken to the players and we feel that, against France, James gives us slightly more attacking options," Gatland said.
"It is no consolation to Stephen but coming off the bench he gives us that maturity and experience in being able to change a game if we need to, or close it down," the former Ireland, Wasps and Waikato coach explained.
"We have used both players in every game except England and I see that happening again on Saturday," he said.
CLOSE CALL
Gatland said it had been a desperately close call between the two flyhalves before he opted for the younger man, more of a "flair" player than the steadier Jones.
"It was an agonizing decision to make. I have a huge amount of respect for Stephen as a person and I am sure his experience will add to us this week," Gatland said.
The only other change to the starting side that beat Ireland 16-12 in Dublin last Saturday to clinch the Triple Crown saw hooker Huw Bennett return after missing the Croke Park triumph with flu.
Scrumhalf Mike Phillips, who pulled off a try-saving tackle on Ireland wing Shane Horgan, retained his place despite receiving a yellow card for kneeing prop Marcus Horan in the back.
In the end, Wales coped well while Phillips spent 10 minutes in the sin-bin.
"If the result had been different perhaps it could cost him his place. I hope there has been a lesson in it because I have told Mike he can be the biggest, most physical, imposing scrumhalf in world rugby," Gatland said.
Wales' 1st XV this weekend will feature nine players involved in the 2005 Grand Slam season.
"They [the players] have not spoken about 2005 but it is a bonus that they know what the week is like," Gatland said.
Wales can afford to lose by 19 points on Saturday and still win the Championship title but Gatland, who took over after Gareth Jenkins was sacked following the team's first round exit at last year's World Cup, has his sights set on a bigger prize.
SPECIAL
"To win on points difference would be something of a hollow victory," he said. "We have already achieved something in this campaign that can't be taken away from us with the Triple Crown, but we have an opportunity now to push on and do something a little bit special in front of our home crowd."
France have won their last six matches at the Millennium Stadium, including the World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand.
"We have momentum, which is what this tournament is all about, but you can never underestimate the French," Gatland warned.
Freddie Freeman homered and drove in four runs, Shohei Ohtani also went deep and Roki Sasaki earned his first major league win as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 10-3 on Saturday night for their seventh straight victory. The Dodgers have won the first two games of the series to improve to 5-0 against Atlanta this year. Los Angeles’ three-game sweep at home early in the season left the Braves 0-7. Sasaki allowed three runs and six hits over five innings. The 23-year-old right-hander gave up a home run to Ozzie Albies, but received plenty of offensive support in his
INTER AWAIT: Superb saves by PSG ’keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma inspired the victory, as Arsenal were punished for misses, including one by Bukayo Saka Arsenal on Wednesday fell short on the big stage again as their painful UEFA Champions League semi-final exit against Paris Saint-Germain left Mikel Arteta to rue his club’s failure to provide him with enough attacking options. Arteta’s side were unable to reach the Champions League final for the first time in 19 years as PSG clinched a tense 2-1 win at Parc des Princes. Trailing 1-0 from last week’s first leg in London, the Gunners made a blistering start to the second leg, but could not convert their chances as Gianluigi Donnarumma’s superb saves inspired PSG’s 3-1 aggregate victory. Arsenal were punished for
Bayern Munich on Sunday were crowned German champions for the 34th time, giving striker Harry Kane his first major trophy, after second-placed Bayer 04 Leverkusen drew 2-2 at SC Freiburg. Bayern’s 3-3 draw at RB Leipzig on Saturday, when the Bavarians came from two goals down to take the lead before conceding a stoppage-time equalizer, meant defending Bundesliga champions Leverkusen needed to win at Freiburg to delay the title party. Leverkusen were two goals down before scoring twice in the final 10 minutes, but Xabi Alonso’s side could not find a third, as Bayern reclaimed the title at the first attempt after
THRILLER: Raphinha gave Barca a 3-2 lead with two minutes remaining of regular time, but Francesco Acerbi equalized the game in the second minute of added time Davide Frattesi on Tuesday fired Inter into the UEFA Champions League final with an extra-time winner that gave the Italians a stunning 4-3 triumph over Barcelona, 7-6 on aggregate. Italy midfielder Frattesi won a tie for the ages under a downpour in Milan when he lashed home in the 99th minute, sending a packed and rocking San Siro wild with joy. Simone Inzaghi’s team will face either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain at the end of this month in Munich, Germany, where they would feel they have a great chance to be crowned kings of Europe for a fourth time after
RSS