Jones to lead Welsh
May 30, 2001

Wales have named Llanelli fly half Stephen Jones as captain ahead of the opening game of their five-match tour of Japan.

The versatile 23-year-old will start at inside centre against Japanese club champions Suntory at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo. Stephens, who has eight caps, has played at full-back and stand-off for Wales but on Sunday he will play in midfield alongside Jamie Robinson.

Stand-in coach Lyn Howells has selected nine full internationals from a squad depleted by Lions call-ups, but there is a chance for Bath scrum-half Gareth Cooper and stand-off Gavin Henson of Swansea to impress as a half-back pairing.

There is also a place on the bench for both Cardiff youngster Robin Sowden-Taylor and Bristol hooker Saul Nelson.

R Williams (Cardiff); G Thomas (Bridgend), J Robinson (Cardiff), S Jones (Llanelli, capt), C Morgan (Cardiff), G Henson (Swansea), G Cooper (Bath), D Jones (Neath), A Lewis (Cardiff), B Evans (Swansea), C Quinnell (Cardiff), C Stephens (Bridgend), A Lloyd (Bath), G Thomas (Bath), G Lewis (Swansea).
Replacements: T Shanklin (Saracens), A Durston (Bridgend), D Peel (Llanelli), R Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff), A Jones (Cardiff), C Jones (Newport), S Nelson (Bristol).

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