Wales team to face France – North is back

Posted on Mar 17, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

George North has gained a dramatic recall to the Welsh starting lineup to face France following the withdrawal of mercurial wing, Shane Williams. Also recalled is prop Adam Jones, despite only having 20 minutes of action for the Ospreys since recovering from an arm operation.

Both changes have been enforced through injury with Ospreys prop Craig Mitchell (shoulder) and wing Shane Williams (knee) withdrawing after the 19 -13 victory over Ireland at the Millennium Stadium last weekend.

18-year-old Scarlet North, who scored a brace of tries on his international debut against world champions South Africa in November 2010, now comes in after returning for the Scarlets after three months out in February and starred in a try-scoring win over Edinburgh.

Wales team to face France

1. Paul James
2. Matthew Rees
3. Adam Jones
4. Bradley Davies
5. Alun-Wyn Jones
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Sam Warburton
8. Ryan Jones
9. Mike Phillips
10. James Hook
11. George North
12. Jonathan Davies
13. Jamie Roberts
14. Leigh Halfpenny
15. Lee Byrne

Replacements: John Yapp, Richard Hibbard, Jonathan Thomas, Rob McCusker, Dwayne Peel, Stephen Jones, Morgan Stoddart

Halfpenny and Thomas claim Wales starts

Posted on Feb 9, 2010 in Rugby News

Wales have made two changes from the starting line-up defeated by England at Twickenham in the RBS 6 Nations opener last weekend for the visit of Scotland to the Millennium Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 2.00pm).  In the second row Osprey Jonathan Thomas reforms his regional partnership with Alun-Wyn Jones at the expense of Dragons lock Luke Charteris. In the backs Leigh Halfpenny comes in for his Blues colleague Tom James on the wing.

Gethin Jenkins has recovered from his calf injury to be named on the bench and, in one of three changes there, he joins fellow Blues players Sam Warburton, who covers the back row, and centre or wing Tom Shanklin.

“Jonathan brings over 50 caps of experience to the tight five and offers us some extra mobility around the field,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland.

“Leigh is a recognised right wing who offers us an extra kicking option and his return to full fitness after limited training in the run up to the England game allows his selection.

“We think we have a very strong bench with the right mix of players each able to make an impact if called upon and are pleased to be able to name Gethin although he will undergo further fitness assessments later in the week.

“Tom Shanklin returns to provide another 65-caps worth of experience as cover for the backs and Sam Warburton comes in as back row cover with JT (Jonathan Thomas) now having been nominated as a starting second row.”

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Fussell moves to Ospreys

Posted on Feb 9, 2010 in Rugby News

Richard Fussell has revealed that his ambition to play for Wales was behind his decision to sign a two-year contract with the Ospreys.
The 25-year old Newport Gwent Dragons wing has penned a deal that will see him arrive at the Ospreys in the summer after five years at Rodney Parade, and he says that the motivating factor for his switch to Ospreylia was the region’s track record in developing players for the national set-up.

Fussell commented: ”I’m excited about the prospect of moving to the Ospreys. I’ve made the decision purely on the basis of where I feel I can develop my game best over the next couple of years. I’ve spoken to people about the set-up at the Ospreys and it’s all been very positive. They have excellent facilities and a track record in developing players so I see it as a real opportunity for me to kick on another level in my game. If you look at the number of players that the Ospreys bring through for Wales, then it is clear that they are doing something right and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.

“There are some great coaches at the Ospreys, they have exciting plans for the region and I’m looking forward to working with them. It’s going to be a real challenge for me personally to go into that environment and try and make an impact. I realise that they have real strength in the wing position; In Shane Williams and Tommy Bowe I’d say that they’ve probably got two of the best wingers in the world, and there is also Nikki Walker and some really talented youngsters coming through, so being around players of that quality and working with them day in, day out, and testing myself in training against them can only be a positive thing for me personally. Hopefully, it will allow me to improve my own game to the level where maybe I can get closer to international rugby.

“Clearly, while I’m looking forward to joining up with the Ospreys, there’s a lot of rugby to be played between now and the end of the season. I’ve been at the Dragons for five years, I’ve really enjoyed my time with them and as a professional rugby player my focus between now and then will be 100 per cent on the Dragons and doing my best for them, which is as it should be.”

Wales injury update – Rees needs surgery

Posted on Dec 1, 2009 in Rugby News

Wales and Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees is likely to require surgery on the groin tear which saw him carried off on a stretcher against Australia at the Millennium Stadium last Saturday in the final clash of the Invesco Perpetual Series of 2009.

Ospreys wing Shane Williams, who withdrew with a hamstring injury early in the first half, will not require surgery but will be in rehabilitation for a period of four to six weeks.

Squad captain Ryan Jones should be back in training this week after a back injury forced him to watch from the sidelines at the weekend and Leigh Halfpenny has joined the Baa-Baas squad still undergoing treatment for a dead leg.

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Wales team v Argentina – Jonathan Davies starts – Lydiate on bench

Posted on Nov 17, 2009 in Rugby News

Wales coach Warren Gatland has handed Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies his first Millennium Stadium start for the visit of Argentina in the Invesco Perpetual Series clash on Saturday (Kick-off 2.30pm).

The facial injury suffered by Tom Shanklin in the victory over Samoa gives Davies his chance with Gatland otherwise reverting to the starting line-up chosen to face New Zealand in the Series opener a fortnight ago.

And in a positional switch Blues centre Jamie Roberts moves to outside centre to accommodate Davies at No 12.

In forward changes from the team who beat Samoa Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees replaces Osprey Huw Bennett and Blues flanker Martyn Williams returns for regional team-mate Sam Warburton, with Bennett providing cover from the bench.

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