Alun Wyn Jones will captain defending champions Wales in their Six Nations opener against Italy on Saturday, with Sam Warburton on the bench, the Welsh Rugby Union announced on Tuesday.
Ospreys skipper Jones, who last captained Wales against Italy in 2009, leads a side bidding to win an unprecedented third consecutive Six Nations crown.
He takes over from Cardiff Blues flanker Warburton, who recently spent two months on the sidelines with a shoulder problem.
Jamie Roberts of Racing-Metro returns at centre after missing last year’s November Tests due to injury, with the Scarlets’ Rhys Priestland edging out Dan Biggar of Ospreys at fly-half.
Bath prop Paul James replaces injured Cardiff front-rower Gethin Jenkins and Perpignan’s Luke Charteris takes over from the suspended Ian Evans in the second row.
“We are looking for a good start,” said head coach Warren Gatland in a statement released by the WRU. “We started slowly last year (losing 30-22 at home to Ireland) and know we need to be ready from the off.
“Italy started last year’s tournament with a win over France so they will be ready on Saturday and we need to start well and build confidence and momentum.
“It’s a strong, experienced side, but there was a lot of discussion about the selection, which is a great position to be in as a coach. We’ve almost everyone fit for selection, which is pretty rare.
“Alun Wyn will lead the side, with Sam starting on the bench and he has come through training well.”
Joining Warburton among the replacements is Ospreys scrum-half Rhys Webb, who is named in a Six Nations match squad for the first time.
Wales team announced on Tuesday to play Italy in the opening Six Nations match at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Saturday:
Wales (15-1)
Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, George North; Rhys Priestland, Mike Phillips; Taulupe Faletau, Justin Tipuric, Dan Lydiate; Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Luke Charteris; Adam Jones, Richard Hibbard, Paul James
Replacements: Ken Owens, Ryan Bevington, Rhodri Jones, Andrew Coombs, Sam Warburton, Rhys Webb, James Hook, Liam Williams
MATCH INFO
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Cheat’s nigiri
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.
Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.
Deconstructed sushi salad platter
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.
Straightforward ways to reduce sugar in your family's diet
- Ban fruit juice and sodas
- Eat a hearty breakfast that contains fats and wholegrains, such as peanut butter on multigrain toast or full-fat plain yoghurt with whole fruit and nuts, to avoid the need for a 10am snack
- Give young children plain yoghurt with whole fruits mashed into it
- Reduce the number of cakes, biscuits and sweets. Reserve them for a treat
- Don’t eat dessert every day
- Make your own smoothies. Always use the whole fruit to maintain the benefit of its fibre content and don’t add any sweeteners
- Always go for natural whole foods over processed, packaged foods. Ask yourself would your grandmother have eaten it?
- Read food labels if you really do feel the need to buy processed food
- Eat everything in moderation
