One tight-head injury crisis, Six Nations on the line, two stubborn men.
Wales can throw the championship race on its head, this Saturday, by making it four wins in a row and running up a high score.
Following their win over Ireland, last Saturday, Warren Gatland’s men are now, in the eyes of many pundits, second favourites to win the title. Only problem is, Samson Lee, the starting tight-head prop, is injured long-term.
Gatland looks set to start Aaron Jarvis against a dogged Italian pack, with Scott Andrews – second choice prop at Cardiff Blues – in reserve.
The sensible option, it would seem, would be to call up the recently retired international Adam Jones. The Wales coach is having none of it and has set his stall out with a ‘if he calls me first’ position on a mooted recall.
Gatland is keen to point out that Jones was still in his thoughts ahead of the Six Nations despite not picking him for the opening rounds.
He says, ‘We had played a little bit of phone tag, leaving messages and going backwards and forwards.
“If he has changed his mind and wants to get on the phone and say “I made a rash decision, retired too early and want to be part of the World Cup squad”, that is a different conversation.
“At the moment, I will not be going on bended knees ringing him saying “please come back we really desperately need you”.’
Got to admire Gatland for sticking to his guns. Welsh fans will hope his stubbornness pays off.
Hat-tip: BBC
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