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Hansen Makes Changes For Ireland Test

Hansen Makes Changes For Ireland Test

Wales coach Steve Hansen has made five changes and two positional switches for his team’s RBS 6 Nations Championship Round 4 battle against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium this Saturday. (kick-off 14:00)

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Hansen has opted to move Cardiff’s Rhys Williams to fullback in the absence of the injured Kevin Morgan, with Llanelli’s Mark Jones being handed the No 14 jersey.

Llanelli’s first choice outside half Stephen Jones holds on to the No.10 shirt, with Cardiff’s Iestyn Harris retaining his spot on the bench at the expense of Pontypridd youngster Ceri Sweeney.

And there are major changes in the pack.

Jonathan Humphreys – who took over the captaincy from Colin Charvis after Wales’ opening day misery against Italy – returns from injury to replace Gareth Williams who is out with a broken hand.

Pontypridd’s Gethin Jenkins comes in at tighthead prop.

Charvis has been reinstated in the starting line-up, and the Swansea man will earn his 54th cap at blindside flanker.

Veteran lock Gareth Llewellyn wins his 74th cap with Steve Williams

moving to the bench. Only 20 men have played more Tests than the Neath man, who made his international debut against New Zealand 14 years ago.

Swansea’s Ben Evans does not make the squad, but Llanelli ball-carrier Martyn Madden has made the bench after being absent for the last three internationals with a shoulder injury.

Wales: R Williams (Cardiff); M Jones (Llanelli), M Taylor (Swansea), T Shanklin (Saracens), Gareth Thomas (Bridgend); S Jones (Llanelli), G

Cooper (Bath); I Thomas (Llanelli), J Humphreys (Bath, capt), G Jenkins (Pontypridd), R Sidoli (Pontypridd), G Llewellyn (Neath), C Charvis

(Swansea), M Williams (Cardiff), D Jones (Llanelli).

Replacements: M Davies (Pontypridd), M Madden (Llanelli), S Williams (Northampton), Gavin Thomas (Bath), M Watkins (Llanelli), I Harris(Cardiff), D Peel (Llanelli).

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