Wales offer Powell a shot at redemption
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Andrew Powell, one of the more troublesome individuals in rugby's recent annals, has been handed a chance to atone for his sins – golf-buggy driving on the M4, bar-room brawling in London – by a Wales hierarchy who believe his physicality will be of more value to them at next month's World Cup than the more sophisticated skills of the long-serving flanker Martyn Williams.
It is a hard call on Williams but Powell did enough in last weekend's win over Argentina to swing the vote. The versatile Scarlets forward Josh Turnbull also misses out, largely because Warren Gatland has opted to take eight front-row forwards rather than seven.
Scotland have omitted the gifted No 8 Johnnie Beattie. Richie Vernon, who will play for Sale when he returns from New Zealand, has made the cut, as has the Gloucester flanker Alasdair Strokosch.
There were fallers in Ireland, too – most notably the Lions Test wing Luke Fitzgerald, beaten to a place by Leicester's Geordan Murphy, and the Munster scrum-half Tomas O'Leary, overtaken by Conor Murray.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments