Wales are set to be at full strength for Friday’s Six Nations opener against England after recalling hooker Richard Hibbard and winger George North to the starting team.
The British and Irish Lions players are the only changes to the side who started in the 12-6 win over South Africa in November last year, which ended Wales’ 22-match losing run against the southern hemisphere’s “big three.”
North, who replaces Liam Williams, is one of the stars of Welsh rugby, but has been warned by Gatland that he needs a big game at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium to keep his place in the side.
Photo: AFP
“We don’t think he has played that well in the Welsh jersey in the last few games,” Gatland said. “So there is a lot of pressure and expectation on him to perform, but one of the things he has done for Wales is that he has scored tries and he continues to do that for his club as well.”
“He does have that X-factor,” the coach said. “We are looking for a big performance from him on Friday night.”
Hibbard comes in for Scott Baldwin in a team selected two days ahead of schedule by Gatland, who had an injury-free squad to choose from.
Photo: AFP
“It wasn’t the hardest team in the world to pick,” Gatland said. “There are no injuries and everyone has trained this morning, which is good. We decided to name the team early to give the players the best possible chance of preparation.”
Sam Warburton was named captain in what is to be his 50th international appearance.
Wales thrashed England 30-3 in their previous Millennium Stadium encounter — a Six Nations title decider in 2013. England prevailed 29-18 at Twickenham during last year’s tournament.
England have a slew of injury doubts for the trip to Cardiff for what is one of the biggest rivalries in rugby.
England prop David Wilson is to miss the game due to a neck injury, forwards coach Graham Rowntree said on Monday.
Dan Cole is to step in after recovering from a foot injury, but there is a chance that Wilson will be fit to play against Italy in England’s second game of the championship.
“David Wilson won’t be ready for Friday,” Rowntree said. “He’s not recovered from the nerve impingement.”
“We’re hoping David will be in the mix for next week, but he’s not right at the moment, unfortunately,” he said.
Cole has not played since spraining his foot in Leicester’s 32-20 win against Sale on Dec. 27, but he is now in line to make his first England appearance since February last year.
“Dan is available and has progressed well,” Rowntree said. “He trained with us all last week. We increased his rehabilitation and he’s trained fully for the last four days.”
“Dan is a class, proven operator,” he said. “He’s not been out for six months and has not been sat twiddling his thumbs for the last six weeks. We’ve trained pretty fast and he’s slotted in nicely.”
England head coach Stuart Lancaster is to announce his team for the game today.
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