Gatland takes Irish gamble with Wyn Jones

Feb 28 2008 by Andy Howell, Western Mail

ARCH-RIVALS Warren Gatland and Eddie O’Sullivan last night gambled in their bid to put their best teams on the pitch at Croke Park next week.

Wales coach Gatland released Alun Wyn Jones for the Ospreys’ Magners League clash with Glasgow at Firhill tomorrow night.

And Gatland was following the example of Ireland boss O’Sullivan, who has given line-out colossus Paul O’Connell permission to face the Blues in the big league meeting at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday.

Both players are desperate for game-time with British Lions captaincy contender O’Connell hardly having played since the World Cup because of back trouble.

Jones has been sidelined since shining during Wales’ heroic triumph over England at Twickenham after picking up an ankle injury late in that encounter.

Gatland and O’Sullivan, who haven’t been on the best of terms since the latter replaced the former as Ireland coach in a coup in December 2001, regard the pair as key men for their respective terms.

And it is conceivable they could line up against each other in Dublin in nine days’ time if they come through these tests.

Wales are bidding for the Six Nations title, Grand Slam and Triple Crown, while Ireland can still win the championship and take a fourth Triple Crown in five years.

Gatland confirmed Jones could be recalled against Ireland, despite his replacement Ian Evans impressing against Scotland and Italy.

“Alun Wyn will feature for the Ospreys this weekend. He is in contention for selection for Ireland,” said the Kiwi.

O’Connell, who came on as a replacement for Mick O’Driscoll midway through the second half of Ireland’s victory over Scotland last weekend, wants to use Munster’s clash with the Blues to mount an unassailable case for inclusion against Wales.

The big forward, a contender to be Lions captain in South Africa next year, isn’t concerned the Blues might look to soften him up on Wales’ behalf.

O’Connell appealed to Munster coach Declan Kidney to give him plenty of air-time in the Welsh capital.

“Hopefully Deccie will give me a game. Next week then is another week.

“There's a lot of guys, meaning a lot of selection issues before that Wales game.”

The reappearance of O’Connell in Ireland colours against the Scots prompted one of the loudest roars of the afternoon, highlighting his standing in the world game and his importance to Irish fans.

“After five or six minutes, I found I was struggling badly, but after 10 or 12 minutes, I felt great,” said the 28-year-old.

“I didn’t want it to finish when it did. All the talk now is about using your subs and using your bench, but getting a second wind is something that is very important too.”

Gatland has released nine of Wales’ 29-man Six Nations squad to play this weekend, including scrum-half Dwayne Peel – at the player’s request.

Peel underwent a final examination from consultant neurosurgeon John Martin at Morriston Hospital last night after going off early in the second half against Italy last weekend with a head injury.

Provided he gets the go-ahead, the scrum-half will turn out for the Scarlets in their Magners League clash in Ulster tomorrow night.

“Dwayne approached us and asked if he could play this weekend, he feels he needs more rugby,” said Gatland.

“We will be more than happy to see him take the field at Ravenhill, if the medical opinion approves.

“For Alix Popham (Scarlets), Deiniol Jones, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Jamie Roberts (Blues) and Sonny Parker (Ospreys) it’s a case of all those players needing game-time as we progress though our campaign.

“Gareth Delve and Gareth Cooper have to be released to England-based Gloucester Rugby, but Tom James (Blues) is unavailable due to illness.”