News

Three new faces for Wales

May 14 2008

Ryan Jones will captain a Wales squad containing three uncapped players on the two-Test tour of South Africa in June.

Warren Gatland has selected the uncapped trio of centre Andrew Bishop, scrum-half Warren Fury and second row Bradley Davies.

Andrew Bishop has been a regular in the Ospreys midfield this season, whilst Davies has been impressing in his time at the Arms Park. The inclusion of Fury is something of a surprise as he has had little game time at London Irish.

The main concern for Gatland, and Wales, is that they head to South Africa without a specialist openside flanker. Both Martyn Williams and Robin Sowden-Taylor have been ruled out with injuries, as to have young pretenders Ben Lewis and Sam Warburton.

It is expected Gatland will ask either Jonathan Thomas or Dafydd Jones, both blindside flankers, to play out of position. Gatland had enquired as to the availability of 20-year-old Warburton, only to find like Williams and Sowden-Taylor who was unavailable due to injury - although he will be fit to lead Wales in the U20 World Championships.

Gatland has also left Colin Charvis out of the squad after the experienced back row man was at the centre of a 'club v country' conflict when the Dragons rejected Gatland's SOS to release him for the Welsh training camp in Ireland.

Gatland overlooking Charvis could persuade the 35-year-old to now retire from a distinguished rugby career, having made his last appearance for Wales against South Africa in November.

Charvis is the top try-scoring forward in international rugby as well as having the honour of being Wales' most-capped forward, with 94 caps for Wales and two for the British and Irish Lions.

"We had looked at the possibility of bringing back Colin as a short-term fill but this tour is about the future and it has given us the chance to call some younger guys into the squad to develop them," said Gatland.

"We feel we can cover the number seven jersey by moving Jonathan Thomas from blindside to openside flanker and including Dafydd Jones in the squad."

Despite the injuries, the bulk of Gatland's squad boast Grand Slam winners medals and the tight-five looks competitive with the likes of Duncan Jones, Adam Jones, Gethin Jenkins, Huw Bennett, Ian Gough, Alun-Wyn Jones and Ian Evans all travelling.

In the backs, Gatland has experienced heads like James Hook, Stephen Jones, Sonny Parker Tom Shanklin, Shane Williams and Mark Jones. There is a fair mix of youth in the backs as well, Tom James and Jamie Roberts are both included after impressing with the Blues this season.

The concern is inexperience in key positions, not only on the openside flank but at full-back where contenders Morgan Stoddart and Roberts have just one cap each. However Gatland is relishing the chance to see some new faces in action.

"This is a great chance for some of the younger guys," Gatland added.

"And for a number of the players chosen it is about what I've heard about them and Bradley and Andrew are thought of very highly.

"I also worked with Warren during our Wasps days and I know what a good kid he is."

The first Test against the World Cup holders will be at Bloemfontein's Vodacom Park on 7 June, followed by Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld the following Saturday, June 14.

Wales have beaten the Springboks just once in their history, and have never triumphed on South African soil. Moreover, Wales have not beaten one of the Tri-Nations sides on their home turf since overcoming Australia in 1969, a 1987 win over the Wallabies having been played in New Zealand.

Backs: Morgan Stoddart (Scarlets), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys), Tom James (Cardiff Blues), Mark Jones (Scarlets), Sonny Parker (Ospreys), Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), James Hook (Ospreys), Andy Williams (Dragons), Warren Fury (London Irish), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester).

Forwards: Duncan Jones (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Rhys Thomas (Dragons), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Ian Gough (Ospreys), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Dafydd Jones (Scarlets), Gareth Delve (Gloucester), Ryan Jones (Ospreys) (c).