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Six Nations 2013: Wales name five uncapped players

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments328

Ospreys wing Eli Walker

Wales interim coach Rob Howley has named five uncapped players in a 35-man squad for the RBS Six Nations.

With four front-line locks ruled out with injury, James King (Ospreys) and Andrew Coombs (Dragons) have been called up for the first time.

They are joined by Blues back-rowers Josh Navidi and South Africa-born Andries Pretorius, who qualifies on residency, and Ospreys wing Eli Walker.

Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate and Bradley Davies are injured.

Charteris is out for the season, but Davies, Alun Wyn Jones and Lydiate could return for the latter stages of the tournament for the defending champions.

Versatile forward Ryan Jones has been included despite dislocating his thumb on Sunday, raising doubts over his availability for the opener against Ireland in Cardiff on 2 February.

Back in the squad is full-back Lee Byrne of Clermont Auvergne, who was overlooked for the autumn internationals, but there is no place for 19-year-old Blues fly-half Rhys Patchell.

Howley has named an experienced contingent in the front row, which is bolstered by the return to fitness of Adam Jones (Ospreys) and Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), who feature alongside Gethin Jenkins (Toulon), Paul James (Bath), Scott Andrews (Blues) and Ryan Bevington (Ospreys).

Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets) and Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), who injured his shoulder on Sunday, are the hookers.

Ian Evans (Ospreys) and Lou Reed (Blues), who both featured in the autumn squad, remain in the 35-man group.

"We have put together a very experienced squad and complemented that by rewarding the in-form players with a call-up," said Howley.

"The players in the squad have been playing really well and we have been pleased with their individual performances.

"We have a group of players who know how to win big matches and have experienced success. We are adding to that players who have stood out and performed well for the regions this season."

Former Wales Under-20 cap King, born in Australia but raised in north Wales, has impressed for Ospreys this season and will vie for a second-row berth with 28-year-old Coombs.

In the back row, Sam Warburton, who has been named as captain, is selected alongside the experienced Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) and Josh Turnbull (Scarlets).

In the backline Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Blues) and Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets) will contest the number nine jersey. They will be joined at half-back by Dan Biggar (Ospreys) and James Hook (Perpignan), with Rhys Priestland (Scarlets) unavailable for selection because of injury.

The 2012 Grand Slam champions begin the defence of their title against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium, before facing France in Paris the following weekend.

Howley will be in charge of the squad while Warren Gatland concentrates on his duties as Lions coach.

Shaun Edwards (defence), Robin McBryde (forwards), Neil Jenkins (skills) and new appointment Mark Jones (backs) will be part of Howley's coaching team.

WALES SQUAD:

Forwards: Scott Andrews (Blues), Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), Adam Jones (Ospreys) Paul James (Bath), Gethin Jenkins (Toulon), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Ryan Jones (Ospreys) Lou Reed (Blues), Ian Evans (Ospreys), James King (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Josh Navidi (Blues), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Blues), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Andries Pretorius (Blues)

Backs: Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), James Hook (Perpignan), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets) Alex Cuthbert (Blues), George North (Scarlets), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Lee Byrne (Clermont).

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328 comments

  • Comment posted by U15575610, at 16:41 15 Jan 2013

    I don't understand why so many rugby fans from other nations comment on the Welsh articles saying "I'm glad I'm not a Welsh rugby fan, their team is rubbish"
    But since 2005 Wales have won 3 Grandslams and have gotten to the semi finals of a World Cup. As a Welshman, It's made me very proud and I'm very glad to be a fan of Wales and looking forward to a fantastic six nations no matter what happens

  • Comment posted by U15517844, at 17:05 15 Jan 2013

    @180
    How many world cups have Wales won?
    I cant seem to find the number anywhere.

    Anybody with basic rugby knowlege would know it's 1
    World Cup Sevens Champions after winning the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens in the United Arab Emirates

  • Comment posted by Numbnuts, at 12:59 15 Jan 2013

    Walker cracking prospect. New Shane Williams? Wales will be competitive and no reason why they can't retain title. As an England fan it does get a bit tiring hearing about our win against "below par AB's" "out on their feet" "illness"!! They were going flat out at the end! Please just accept we won against "the best AB team ever" according to many. I will heap praise on Wales when you beat them.

  • Comment posted by U15517844, at 16:46 15 Jan 2013

    169 Then why spend so much time on the Welsh forums ? It's people like you who are not only a embarrassment to English fans you are also a embarrassment to the rugby ethos.

  • Comment posted by Cymroglan, at 17:01 15 Jan 2013

    Could we all just ignore the trolls,They are not interested in talking rugby they just use forums like this to highlight their xenophobia

  • Comment posted by Justin150, at 12:47 15 Jan 2013

    As long as Ian Evans is fit enough, second row will not be a problem for Wales. RJ can partner him if you do not trust Lou Reed enough.

    However it is likely that Wales will, yet again, have a dodgy line out. It is not the hookers fault. Wales only have 2 line out threats - none of the back row are regular targets other teams have 3 sometimes 4

    Biggest problem is the slowness of MP service

  • Comment posted by Taffholmes, at 19:37 16 Jan 2013

    Without physical players (Lydiate massive in that respect) the only way is to mix it up and have a go, but will Howley be gung-ho and go Byrne/Walker/North/Davies/Halfpenny/Hook/Williams? Roberts needs form, Phillips is a great rugby player but won't spark backs.. We're going to get bullied up front (no Lydiate, lock issues). JT/SW isn't balance, but this time round we have a go or take a pounding

  • Comment posted by Numbnuts, at 17:05 16 Jan 2013

    @293GlobalRugby - I think those are very valid points and I agree entirely.

  • Comment posted by GlobalRugby, at 16:47 16 Jan 2013

    The Welsh are more than capable of defending their Grand Slam, I remember reading these boards and pretty much the same comments before all 3 previous GS's. The fact is that NO NH side has beaten them since the WC. No NH Team has consistently beat anyone since.. including England. And anyone who thinks they are gonna have an easy ride against Wales doesnt have the first clue about rugby football.

  • Comment posted by U15576288, at 23:16 15 Jan 2013

    @U15496744

    "You have to laugh at/ pity the Welsh they are simply fascinated about beating England, is that really all you care about? Im sorry to break it to you taffs but us english on the other hand really aren't that interested in Wales..."

    ...He posted on a welsh team blog

  • Comment posted by David, at 20:13 15 Jan 2013

    i think the Italy vs Wales game in Rome could be a VERY good game considering Wales's injury situation and how well the Italians have played at home in recent years.

  • Comment posted by celticwarrior69, at 19:49 15 Jan 2013

    Josh Navidi !!!! Is Howley having a laugh? no offence to him but he is not good enough in a poor blues side and nowhere near international class.
    Warburton captain, so he's nailed on to start when totally off form! Gethin in when hardly getting any game time, what has Rhys Gill got to do to get in the squad? I'm struggling to see which, if any, fixtures we are going to win in the 6N

  • Comment posted by U15575280, at 19:11 15 Jan 2013

    Anyone else thinks Rhys Gill should be there. He's been great for Sarries.

  • Comment posted by U15129578, at 18:55 15 Jan 2013

    Rob Howley has the passion of a grapefruit. Can you imagine him trying to fire you up in the changing room? His voice reminds me of a field mouse. No disrespect...

  • Comment posted by TheLastKingOfEngland, at 17:32 15 Jan 2013

    Looking at the fixtures Wales face a tough away and harder home match to start with. Normally if Wales can build momentum they do well but I think they'll struggle, especially in week 2 in Paris. France to me are the favourites for the cup and I'd want to have them at home rather than away. Chuck in that Italy are now no slouches at home but still struggle away I don't think it's Wales' year.

  • Comment posted by U14758809, at 17:29 15 Jan 2013

    JayJay88L,
    I agree RH is probley out of his depth but yeah England have a poor backline, best thing of the NZ result is that Tulangi and Barrett will be still 12-13 combo. Thats combo is clearly not better than JD & JR. I am more than confident that our injury hit side still has enough class to defeat a England side, making us the best team in the world, like you guys said after you beat NZ. :~)

  • Comment posted by Cardiff Boy, at 17:29 15 Jan 2013

    Not happy with Pretorius being included. Nothing to do with him being a saffa, he's just not shown any form at regional level whatsoever and that should be the reason for picking any player.

    Joe Bearman has been in much better form and, regardless of age, should of been picked ahead of Pretorius

  • Comment posted by U15286122, at 17:10 15 Jan 2013

    178. Richard Hibbard? Really? i'm not trying to argue that Owens and Mattew Rees are world class hookers, but there both a class above Hibbard.

    Even with most of our Hookers fit, it's still a position we seem to be struggling with recently. Not so apparent in open play, but in the line outs; i dont want to seem like i'm having a dig, but surely it can't be that hard to throw the ball on target?

  • Comment posted by nonsense45, at 17:07 15 Jan 2013

    I agree with Cymroglan, these haters have nothing really valid to say. I think there is a really decent mix of players who have a chance to prove they can play positive rugby.

  • Comment posted by U15193807, at 17:00 15 Jan 2013

    Welsh rugby is in dissarray there is no doubt about that. We need to hit rock bottom before we can improve. I fear the 6N 2013 as a whole will be the rock at the bottom for Wales.

    England have started laying stable building blocks following a diabolical 9 YEAR period. Why else do you think the arrogance of some english fans is shining brighter than the sun?....... RedRoseDave case and point!

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