Biggar named in unchanged Wales team

Dan Biggar has made a rapid recovery from injury to be named in an unchanged Wales team to face Scotland on Saturday.

Biggar suffered a sprained ankle during last week’s 16-16 draw with Ireland in Dublin and limped off after 22 minutes.

But the Ospreys No.10 has been passed fit to start for Wales in round two of the Six Nations at Cardiff’s Principlaity Stadium.

There were initial fears Biggar back could miss the remainder of the tournament but he has “been working around the clock” this week, according to assistant coach Robin McBryde, and has been cleared to play.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has made just one change on the bench with Cardiff Blues back Gareth Anscombe, who was ruled out of the Ireland game due to a tight hamstring, replacing Alex Cuthbert.

Rhys Priestland, whose goalkicking helped haul Wales back into the game against Ireland from 13-0 adrift, also features among the replacements after coming on for Biggar at the Aviva Stadium.

Gatland has again selected skipper Sam Warburton at blindside flanker, with Justin Tipuric wearing the No 7 shirt, while Scarlets props Rob Evans and Samson Lee have another opportunity to impress following a strong scrummaging performance against Ireland.

Centre Jonathan Davies wins his 50th cap and lines up alongside midfield partner Jamie Roberts for the 41st time in Tests, with Anscombe offering versatile back division cover off the bench.

“It’s great to be able to name an unchanged side, with Dan coming through, fit and ready to play,” Gatland said.

“It is a reward for some players who put in a great shift in Dublin, while we will be asking a little more of some of the players as well.

“It’s great to see Jonathan reach his 50th cap and continue his impressive international partnership with Jamie in the midfield.

“We were impressed with the impact from the bench last week, and that will be just as vital this weekend in what is going to be a tough battle.”

Wales have not lost to Scotland since Gatland took charge in 2008, winning eight successive Tests, while the Scots last triumphed in Cardiff 14 years ago.

Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Tom James, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Rob Evans, 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Luke Charteris, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Sam Warburton (capt), 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 Taulupe Faletau.

 Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Bradley Davies, 20 Dan Lydiate, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Gareth Anscombe.

 

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