Wednesday Round-Up

Gatland changes eight: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has made no less than eight changes to his starting line-up for this weekend’s clash with Pacific Island nation Fiji at the Millennium Stadium. With Sam Warburton on a central contract and limited to a strict number of games, experienced prop Gethin Jenkins comes into the starting XV as captain for the day, alongside Scott Baldwin and Samson Lee in the front row. Elsewhere, Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris combine in the second row, while Justin Tipuric deputises for Warburton on the openside. At halfback, Rhys Priestland lines up alongside Mike Phillips, with Jamie Roberts and Scott Williams combining in midfield, with Jonathan Davies still out injured and George North shifted back to the wing. North moves to his normal left wing berth after injury to Leigh Halfpenny sees Scarlet Liam Williams line up at fullback for the clash on Saturday. Amongst the replacements are the likes of Alun Wyn Jones and James Hook should Wales need some experienced bodies, while Nicky Smith is in line ot make his international debut having been named as front-row cover.

Mallinder’s player concerns: Northampton Saints head coach Jim Mallinder has admitted that a number of his frontline players could leave Franklins Gardens over the course of the next 12 months. Reports emanating out of French rugby circles of late, have all but confirmed that American wrecking ball Samu Manoa is destined for a move to the South of France and the Mourad Boudjellal funded Toulon, while speculation is also mounting surrounding the future of multiple other players. While Mallinder reluctantly admitted that the Manoa deal is nearing completion, he was more optimistic regarding the future of Hartley and Pisi, despite strong interest from both Montpellier and Castres respectively, stating that player negotiations were ongoing with the current squad as well as players from outside the club with one eye on recruitment.

Ryan Sheady