Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric are DROPPED for Scotland clash

Veterans Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric are DROPPED from the Wales squad as Warren Gatland makes SIX changes to the side mauled by Ireland in Cardiff – as Christ Tshiunza comes in for Six Nations debut against Scotland

  • Wales are set to take on Scotland in their second Six Nations game this weekend
  • Warren Gatland’s side are looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat to Ireland 
  • The head coach has made six changes for the clash at Murrayfield on Saturday 

Warren Gatland has ripped up his Wales team for Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Scotland, making the huge call to drop experienced trio Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau. 

In his first game back as head coach against Ireland, Gatland gave his backing to Wales’ old guard but saw them deliver an awful first-half performance in a 34-10 defeat. 

British & Irish Lions forwards Jones, Tipuric and Faletau all had poor games at Principality Stadium, but Gatland’s decision to leave them out of the starting XV for Edinburgh still amounts to a big surprise. 

Faletau moves to the bench with promising young flanker Jac Morgan switching to No 8. Jones and Tipuric have been left out of Wales’ matchday squad altogether.

Jones was passed fit to face Scotland after initially being ruled out by Gatland. At 37, he is the world’s most capped player but his future in international rugby now looks uncertain. 

Veteran Alun Wyn Jones has been dropped by Warren Gatland for the clash with Scotland

Gatland has made six changes in total for Wales’ Six Nations clash with Scotland on Saturday


Justin Tipuric (L) and Taulupe Faletau (R) were also dropped as Gatland ripped up his team

Between them, Jones, Tipuric and Faletau have 342 Wales caps and 18 Lions appearances between them. 

With Jones and Tipuric left out altogether, Wales will field a rookie back-row at Murrayfield of Christ Tshiunza, Tommy Reffell and Morgan. 

There are five personnel changes in total, with new props in Wyn Jones and Dillon Lewis also starting. Dafydd Jenkins replaces Jones at lock. 

Wales must win to keep their Six Nations title hopes alive. Gatland, who has never lost to Scotland as Wales head coach, said: ‘We’ve made some changes but tried to keep some continuity with the same back-line. 

‘Wyn has been working really hard in the last three weeks in camp and he gets an opportunity. Dafydd comes into the second row, looking a bit to the future. Christ as well. 

‘We’re looking at options at eight if Taulupe picks up an injury, so Jac gets that chance. 

Exeter Chiefs star Christ Tshiunza (R) will make his Six Nations debut for Wales on Saturday

The changes come after Wales were thrashed 34-10 by Ireland in their tournament opener

‘We thought we created opportunities last week but we weren’t clinical enough in terms of finishing off some of those chances. We need to start better. 

‘We gave away some stupid penalties and unforced penalties when we weren’t really under a lot of pressure so that’s again been an area we’ve spoken about. 

‘We’ve tried to focus on the positives and the things we can address ourselves.

‘Scotland have some experience in that squad, so it’s going to be a great encounter and it’s a good test of the improvements we can make from the things we need to tidy up from last week.’

On Rhys Davies potentially making his debut from the bench, Gatland added: ‘He’s a big man, a physical man, and he gets his chance. 

‘I was delighted with the players afterwards when we named the team. Obviously there were some changes but I just thought the rest of the boys were absolutely brilliant in terms of congratulating people. 

‘To me that was a real positive.’ 

Wales squad vs Scotland

15. Liam Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 82 caps)

14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 45 caps)

13. George North (Ospreys – 110 caps)

12. Joe Hawkins (Ospreys – 2 caps)

11. Rio Dyer (Dragons – 4 caps)

10. Dan Biggar (Toulon – 104 caps)

9. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 41 caps)

1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets – 45 caps)

2. Ken Owens (Scarlets – 87 caps) captain

3. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 46 caps)

4. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 2 caps)

5. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 42 caps)

6. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 3 caps)

7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 5 caps)

8. Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 7 caps)

Replacements

16. Scott Baldwin (Ospreys – 35 caps)

17. Rhys Carre (Cardiff Rugby – 18 caps)

18. Leon Brown (Dragons – 22 caps)

19. Rhys Davies (Ospreys – uncapped)

20. Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 96 caps)

21. Rhys Webb (Ospreys – 37 caps)

22. Rhys Patchell (Scarlets – 21 caps)

23. Alex Cuthbert (Ospreys – 56 caps)

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