Six Nations
Wales select youngest-ever
2010-03-16 18:28
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Cardiff - Teenage wing Tom Prydie is set to become Wales's youngest-ever international after his shock inclusion Tuesday in the starting side for this Saturday's Six Nations clash at home to Italy.
Prydie, at 18 years and 27 days, will break the 122-year-old record of fellow wing Norman Biggs who was capped by Wales as a Cardiff player aged 18 years and 50 days back in 1888.
Ospreys wing Prydie replaces Cardiff's Leigh Halfpenny in one of five changes to the side beaten 27-12 by Ireland in Dublin last weekend, a defeat that has left Wales with little more than pride to play for against Italy.
Wales coach Warren Gatland has recalled three fit-again British and Irish Lions in scrum-half Mike Phillips, prop Gethin Jenkins and captain Ryan Jones, who replaces Gloucester's Gareth Delve at No 8.
There is also a first Six Nations start for 21-year-old Cardiff openside flanker Sam Warburton, in for 95-times capped back-row Martyn Williams - Wales's stand-in skipper in Dublin.
Veteran Williams and scrum-half Richie Rees, who has been replaced by Phillips, were both omitted from Gatland's 22 entirely, with neither man winning a place on the bench for the Millennium Stadium match.
Wales (15-1):
Lee Byrne; Tom Prydie, James Hook, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips; Ryan Jones (capt), Sam Warburton, Jonathan Thomas; Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies; Adam Jones, Matthew Rees, Gethin Jenkins
Replacements: Huw Bennett, Paul James, Ian Gough, Gareth Delve, Dwayne Peel, Andrew Bishop, Tom Shanklin