Another Welsh captain ruled out

Published: Thursday, 18. August, 2011 in category Southern Hemisphere

Wales have lost a second captain in a week, with No.8 Ryan Jones ruled out of Saturday's World Cup warm-up against Argentina - after failing to recover from a calf problem.

Jones had been due to captain the Welsh for a record-equalling 28th time, but has now been rested after coach Warren Gatland opted not to risk him ahead of next month's World Cup.

Sale Sharks forward Andy Powell has been drafted into the starting line-up in Jones' place with Jonathan Thomas earning a spot on the bench.

Veteran flanker Martyn Williams will captain the side on his 99th appearance for Wales.

Gatland, who will name his final 30-man World Cup squad on Monday, earlier this week lost regular captain Matthew Rees - after the hooker opted to undergo surgery to a troublesome neck injury that has now ruled him out of the global showpiece.

Wales - revised: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 James Hook, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 8 Andy Powell, 7 Martyn Williams (captain), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Jonathan Thomas, 19 Justin Tipuric, 20 Lloyd Williams, 21 Stephen Jones, 22 Aled Brew.

Date: Saturday, August 20
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 14.30 (13.30 GMT)
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gauzere (France), Simon McDowell (Ireland)
TMO: Graham Warren (England)

AFP