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Ruthless Gatland brings in Roberts
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06 January 2008
Roberts has been preferred to Mark Jones, who has dropped out of the matchday 22, while Tom Shanklin replaces Sonny Parker at outside centre and Ian Evans starts in the second row after Alun-Wyn Jones was ruled out with an ankle injury.
Jonathan Thomas, who was considered doubtful after taking a heavy blow to the head in a tackle from Jonny Wilkinson, has been cleared to play and starts at blind-side flanker.
Shanklin's inclusion was expected after he made an impressive impact off the bench as Wales came from 19-6 down to win at Twickenham for the first time in 20 years.
But Gatland has made the surprising decision to drop Llanelli Scarlets loose-forward Alix Popham from the squad altogether, while prop Gethin Jenkins remains among the replacements.
Gloucester back row Gareth Delve takes Popham's place on a bench, which also features Cardiff lock Deniol Jones, who was called into the squad on Monday, and fit-again scrum-half Dwayne Peel.
Gatland said: "When you beat England at Twickenham you don't feel the need to make changes to a winning side, but there are areas we think we can improve."
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