Teams for Wales v Samoa

Wales coach Warren Gatland has recalled scrum-half Dwayne Peel for his 70th cap amid five starting line-up changes for the team to face Samoa in Cardiff on Friday.

Peel replaces Gareth Cooper while fly-half Dan Biggar replaces Stephen Jones and wing Tom James for Shane Williams in a Cardiff Blues three-quarter line. Up front, flanker Martyn Williams makes way for Sam Warburton and hooker Matthew Rees for Huw Bennett.

Wales coach Warren Gatland said: (quote) We have named a strong side and shown the maximum amount of respect to Samoa. They have proved to be a difficult side for Welsh teams in the past and we do not expect the standard to be any different on Friday night. They are a tough physical team with players featuring for some of Europe’s top sides and there is no question of us under-estimating what we are up against. Dan Biggar is a bright prospect and his performances at the Ospreys this season mean he fully deserves his opportunity. Dan is surrounded by experience with Dwayne Peel and Jamie Roberts on either side of him which should help further smooth his transition to international rugby. (end quote)

Samoa are without London Irish wing Sailosi Tagicakibau, who is suffering an ankle injury.

Samoa captain and Tagicakibau team-mate George Stowers said: (quote) He would love to be here and we will miss him because he is our in-form winger now in England and we wouldd love to have him in our team.
But that is an opportunity for another local boy coming over. (end quote)

The Polynesians call on 10 players who ply their trade in the Guinness Premiership.

Although Tagicakibau’s absence would be a huge loss, Samoa coach Fuimaono Tafua can still call on his London Irish team-mates Seilala Mapusua and Stowers, plus the likes of Wasps’ David Lemi and the Tuilagi brothers – Anitelea of Sale and Henry of Perpignan. Henry Tuilagi is one of five France-based players, while Justin Va’a plays for Glasgow in Scotland and another four play for New Zealand teams that compete at Air New Zealand Cup level or above.

After facing Wales, Samoa will complete their tour with Tests against France and Italy.

Wales Team

James Hook (Ospreys); Leigh Halfpenny, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Tom James (all Cardiff Blues); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Dwayne Peel (Sale); Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Huw Bennett, Paul James (both Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Andy Powell, Sam Warburton (both Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt).
Replacements: Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Craig Mitchell (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Martin Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Morgan Stoddart (all Scarlets).

Squads

Samoa:
Backs: Junior Poluleuligaga (Bay of Plenty/NZ), Uale Mai (Apia West), Fa’atonu Fili (Wellington/NZ), Lolo Lui (Apia), Seilala Mapusua (London Irish/ENG), Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu (Gloucester/ENG), Gavin Williams (Clermont Auvergne/FRA), Anitelea Tuilagi (Sale/ENG), Henry Fa’afili (Leeds Carnegie/ENG), Sailosi Tagicakibau (London Irish/ENG), David Lemi (Wasps/ENG), Titi Esau (Apia West).

Forwards: Census Johnston (Toulouse/FRA), Justin Va’a (Glasgow/SCO), Jeremiah Fatialofa (Counties Manukau/NZ), Sakaria Taulafo (Tasman Makos/NZ), Mahonri Schwalger (Sale/ENG), Andrew Williams (Apia West), Filipo Levi (Newcastle/ENG), Iosefa Tekori (Castres/FRA), Kane Thompson (Dax/FRA), Jonathon Fa’amatuainu (Bath/ENG), Ofisa Treviranus (Apia West), George Stowers (London Irish/ENG), Misioka Timoteo (Apia), Henry Tuilagi (Perpignan/FRA), Semiperive Semeane (Apia).

Wales:

Backs: Dan Biggar, James Hook, Shane Williams (all Ospreys); Gareth Cooper, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin, Tom James, Leigh Halfpenny (all Blues); Martin Roberts, Stephen Jones, Jonathan Davies, Morgan Stoddart (all Scarlets); Dwayne Peel (Sale).

Forwards: Paul James, Duncan Jones, Craig Mitchell, Huw Bennett, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones (capt), Jonathan Thomas (all Ospreys); Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies, Andy Powell, Sam Warburton, Martyn Williams (all Blues); Matthew Rees (Scarlets); Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate (both Dragons).

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