Sin-binned Jones keeps place in Wales team

Reuters

STILL PLAYING: Errant lock Alun-Wyn Jones has kept his place in the Wales team to face Scotland in the Six Nations championship.

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Errant lock Alun-Wyn Jones has kept his place in the Wales team to face Scotland in the Six Nations championship, though coach Warren Gatland has made two changes from the side beaten 30-17 by England last weekend.

Jones was sin-binned for tripping in the first half of the Twickenham game, during which time England scored 17 unanswered points, and was heavily criticised by Gatland and defence coach Shaun Edwards.

However, he keeps his place for the Cardiff match while his second-row colleague Luke Charteris is replaced by Jonathan Thomas after a poor Welsh lineout display.

The other change sees the return of wing Leigh Halfpenny for Tom James.

British and Irish Lions prop Gethin Jenkins, who missed the England game with a calf strain, has been named among the replacements subject to passing fitness tests later in the week.

"Jonathan Thomas brings more than 50 caps of experience to the tight five and offers us some extra mobility around the field," Gatland said in a statement Tuesday.

"Leigh Halfpenny is a recognized right wing who offers us an extra kicking option and his return to full fitness after limited training in the run-up to the England game allows his selection."

Wales follow the Scotland match with another home game against France before travelling to Dublin and then finishing off against Italy in the Millennium stadium.

"The championship is by no means over," Gatland said. "We are back at the Millennium Stadium Saturday looking to kick-start our campaign. This is a must-win game for us.

"The good news for these players is that they have an opportunity now, seven days after losing a game we all feel we could have won, to bounce back against Scotland.