Warburton out of Bok clash

Published on | Leave a response

Dan Lydiate has replaced injured Sam Warburton in Wales' starting lineup for Saturday's clash with the Boks in Cardiff. 

Warburton has been ruled out of Wales' final Test of the season after sustaining an injury in training on Tuesday. Lydiate, who played off the bench in their narrow 33-30 win over Japan, will start at blindside flank, while No 8 Ross Moriarty and Justin Tipuric complete the back row.

Loose forward Taulupe Faleatu makes his long-awaited return from injury after being named on the bench alongside last week's hero, Sam Davies.

'We were pleased with the win against Argentina, so have gone with virtually the same team for South Africa,' said interim head coach Rob Howley.

'We've made just one change in the back row. Sam picked up a bit of a stinger injury on Tuesday and isn't quite ready, so Dan comes in. Dan played particularly well against Japan, so we are pleased he gets the opportunity again.

'It's good to have Taulupe back in the squad, he will add a good impact from the bench. We are delighted with Sam [Davies], he showed individual composure and accuracy last weekend and he gets another opportunity on the bench, as he did against Australia.'

Wales – 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Gethin Jenkins (c).
Subs: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Cory Hill, 20 Taulupe Faletau, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Jamie Roberts.

Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Post by