Wales Replace Phillips for France
Wednesday 19 February 2014
Mike Phillips has been dropped to the bench for the France clash
©PA
Warren Gatland has relegated scrum-half Mike Phillips to the Welsh bench for Friday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France in Cardiff.
Experienced Phillips, who has made 82 caps for his country and was the starting British Lions number 9 in Australia last year, makes way for debutant Rhys Webb.
As expected, the other big news is in the centres, as George North moves infield to partner Jamie Roberts; whilst Liam Williams takes North’s number 11 shirt.
One other change from the side crushed 26-3 by Ireland in the last round, sees the return of fit-again second-row Luke Chateris instead of Andrew Coombs
Webb Completes Stunning Recovery:
After Rhys Webb ruptured his cruciate knee ligament and underwent surgery just nine months ago, playing against France on Friday will cap a stunning recovery.
It is an achievement in itself for Webb to be selected above Phillips, but to accomplish it on the back of such a lengthy lay-off speaks volumes for his form.
"I definitely didn't see this happening (Wales selection) when I picked up the injury," Webb said.
"I had a timescale that I would be back the end of January. Fair play to the physios and conditioning staff at the Ospreys for getting me back earlier and enabling me to get a good run of games in.
"I've put in a lot of work for this and I'm really glad to be here now. It's very special. My phone has been going mad and I just can't wait to get out there on Friday.
"My friends and family have been massive to me through tough times with my injuries and stood by me. It's going to be great to see them there, singing the anthem. It will be a dream come true, really."
The giant lock, who missed Dublin due to hamstring trouble, should strengthen a Wales lineout that performed poorly at the Aviva Stadium.
Phillips, who has been a mainstay of the Wales team for several seasons and is a double Grand Slam winner, pays the price for an ineffective start to the current Six Nations campaign.
But it still represents a bold selection call by Wales head coach Warren Gatland, despite Webb's impressive form in Ospreys colours.
North, whose previous 37 caps were all won as a starting wing, answers a midfield injury SOS.
Gatland is without the services of Scott Williams, Jonathan Davies and Ashley Beck because of injuries, so he faced an apparent choice between North and James Hook to feature alongside Roberts, but Hook remains on the bench.
And it had been thought Gatland might tinker with the back row, handing Justin Tipuric a start and moving skipper Sam Warburton from openside to blindside flanker, but he has retained the starting trio of Dan Lydiate, Warburton and Taulupe Faletau that was on duty in Dublin.
"Friday is a massive game for us," Gatland said.
"As a squad, we have a huge amount of experience in this tournament, and we will be calling on that this week.
"'We see the game as a huge opportunity for us to put things right.
"Luke (Charteris) has been working really hard over the past couple of weeks, and it's a big boost for us that he is back.
"I thought Rhys (Webb) played excellently for the Ospreys at the weekend, and he comes in and gives us a different dimension. It's a great opportunity for him.
"George (North) moves into the midfield, and he brings great footwork to the role. His partnership with Jamie will be important as we look to stop the directness of France and Mathieu Bastareaud."
The Ireland reversal - Wales' heaviest in the Six Nations since 2006 - dropped them to fourth in the table.
And they must beat France to keep alive any realistic hope of challenging for an
France, meanwhile, will arrive in Cardiff following victories over England and Italy, while they have suffered just two defeats from seven previous Millennium Stadium visits in the Six Nations.
