LONDON – Captain Fantastic Sam Warburton will earn his 50th cap for Wales after being named in Coach Warren Gatland’s squad to take on England in Cardiff on Saturday night
It was a very confident Gatland who named his 23-man squad to open the 6 Nations Championship 48 hours before being scheduled to do so. Warburton will lead the Dragons into battle apart of a very familiar back row, joined by Taulupe Faletau and Dan Lydiate who all will look to stamp their authority over an England team arguing missing a strong pilferer.
The squad also sees the return of British and Irish Lion Richard Hibbard and George North to the starting lineup for the blockbuster match at Millennium Stadium. Hibbard returns alongside Gethin Jenkins and Samson Lee up front while North joins Leigh Halfpenny and Alex Cuthbert at the back
Ospreys duo Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar continue at half-back with Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies continuing their partnership in midfield.
WALES TEAM TO PLAY ENGLAND
15. Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon)
14. Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues)
13. Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont Auvergne)
12. Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro)
11. George North (Northampton Saints)
10. Dan Biggar (Ospreys)
9. Rhys Webb (Ospreys)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons)
7. Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, C)
6. Dan Lydiate (Ospreys)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys)
4. Jake Ball (Scarlets)
3. Samson Lee (Scarlets)
2. Richard Hibbard (Gloucester)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues)
Replacements:
16. Scott Baldwin (Ospreys)
17. Paul James (Bath Rugby)
18. Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys)
19. Luke Charteris (Racing Metro)
20. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
21. Mike Phillips (Racing Metro)
22. Rhys Priestland (Scarlets)
23. Liam Williams (Scarlets)