MID Wales rugby star Dan Lydiate has missed out on the Wales team for this weekend’s opening Six Nations clash against England.
The Newport Gwent Dragons star had been included in the Six Nations squad, but coach Warren Gatland has elected to do without the young flanker for the trip to Twickenham.
Cardiff Blues hooker Gareth Williams will make his third start for Wales, his first since the tour of Canada and the US last summer.
Williams joins British and Irish Lions props Gethin Jenkins (Blues) and Adam Jones (Ospreys) in the front row - Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees is ruled out with the recurrence of a groin problem.
“Gareth Williams has been in great form for his region and produced some impressive performances in recent weeks and very much deserves his chance,” said Gatland.
“We are obviously disappointed for Matthew but he returned to us with a sore groin after playing at the weekend and he has not responded as quickly as we would have liked to treatment, which has ruled him out of this weekend.
“Gareth is surrounded by a wealth of experience not just in the front row but throughout the forwards, we have a pretty settled pack at the moment with our captain playing particularly well at number eight for the Ospreys and Andy Powell settling into the blindside role with the Blues.”
Meanwhile full back, Lee Byrne, is available after he won his appeal against a two week ban.
Gatland said: “We have not let the doubt over Lee’s availability disrupt things, but it was always going to be a boost to be able to name the first choice Lions full-back in the side.
“There are obvious repercussions throughout the backline too as we have been able to select James Hook at centre in partnership with Jamie Roberts. We tried Jamie at outside centre in the Autumn mainly due to injury problems, but he is back in his preferred position and we are excited about seeing James in this new international role as well.”