Gatland opts for youth over experience

WARREN GATLAND has kept faith with the youngsters who guided Wales into the World Cup quarter-finals for Saturday morning’s shoot-out with Ireland in Wellington.

The Wales coach had a fully fit squad to pick from following injury returns for James Hook, Shane Williams and Danny Lydiate, but has picked on form. Thus Hook starts among the replacements, as do British and Irish Lions duo Stephen Jones and Lee Byrne.

The coveted Welsh number 10 jersey remains with the 24-year-old Rhys Priestland. The understudy to the 101-time capped Jones at the Scarlets, he started against South Africa, Samoa and Fiji and gets the nod over his clubmate and Hook to go head-to-head with Ronan O’Gara.

Hook’s versatility has worked against him. He was pressed into emergency duty at full back for the opening two matches and damaged his shoulder in the win over Samoa, allowing Leigh Halfpenny to state his case.

He obviously made an impact because Gatland has chosen him ahead of Hook and Byrne. Shane Williams returns to the left wing while George North appears on the right flank.

Jamie Roberts will link up with Jonathan Davies for what they hope will be a lucky 13th outing at centre together.

But when you look at the statistics for the two starting XVs you see the gamble Gatland is taking. Wales will boast 562 caps in their side, compared to Ireland’s 734, with O’Driscoll and O’Gara having 231 caps between them — five fewer than the whole of the Welsh back line.

The average age of the two teams also shows the gulf in experience.

Wales skipper Sam Warburton turned 23 this week and his side’s average age — North is 19 and Toby Faletau 20 — 25.5 years. The Irish average, with six players over 30 against Wales’ three, is 27.9 years.

“This was one of the longest selection meetings we’ve ever had, where we went through every possible permutation available,” said Gatland.

“It’s a great position to be in when you’re struggling to find a place for players. We had some tough decisions to make with the likes of Dan, Shane and James returning from injury and the side having done so well in their recent absence.”

Dan Lydiate’s return means Wales will be able to start their best pack for the first time in the tournament.