Gatland urges Sam to play it again

SAM WARBURTON will get the chance to prove he is ready to step into Martyn Williams’ shoes, after Warren Gatland handed him the number seven jersey for Wales’ autumn Test series opener against Australia in Cardiff tomorrow.

Williams, 13 years Warburton’s senior and with 95 caps to his name, is on replacement duty for the Wallabies clash. And while Williams remains an integral part of Gatland’s World Cup plans in New Zealand next year, 22-year-old Cardiff Blues flanker Warburton can lay first claim to the number seven shirt this season.

“There was debate in the back-row,” said Gatland. “And we decided we wanted to have another look at Sam, who hasn’t played for us since South Africa in June. In terms of the openside, we need to still find out about Sam.