Gatland urges Sam to play it again
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.
“We were very pleased with his last game against South Africa, and it was disappointing he was then injured and unable to go on the summer tour to New Zealand, so he is getting another opportunity.” Warburton, though, will not be Wales’ only back-row forward in the spotlight as Gatland hands another 22-year-old – Newport Gwent Dragons flanker Dan Lydiate – a chance.
“Dan played against Australia 12 months ago, and he knew it was a big lesson, a big learning curve for him,” added Gatland.
“We think he has grown up in the last 12 months.
“He’s been very impressive for the Dragons. It’s a great chance for him as a young player to show much he has improved in 12 months.”
Elsewhere, Gatland has predictably moved star centre James Hook to full-back instead of an injured Lee Byrne. Blues centre Tom Shanklin partners Andrew Bishop in midfield, with Will Harries taking over from Leigh Halfpenny, who is sidelined with ankle ligament trouble, on the wing. Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees skippers his country for the first time.
Meanwhile, Lewis Moody has backed England’s young guns to conquer the Everest of world rugby and beat New Zealand at Twickenham on tomorrow.
The All Blacks are top of the International Rugby Board’s world rankings, having won the 2010 Tri-Nations without losing a game, while England still languish in the foothills of sixth place. But less than a year out from the World Cup, Moody is convinced England are a team on the rise following a successful injection of youth.
“When you play the best team in the world, you are always underdogs but I have a lot of confidence in this team and the guys within it,” said Moody.
“It is a really good group of lads we have got at the minute. They are playing some great rugby. The hunger and enthusiasm they have brought has been brilliant.
“The environment in the England camp has changed for the better in every way in the last 12 months. This team is going in the right direction.
“We are in as good a place as we have been in a long while. I think the potential of this team is huge.”
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