World Cup Squad Named

By Lestyn - 01/09/03
September 1 2003

Steve Hansen has named a slightly surprising squad, for the World cup. Shane Williams! I never thought I'd see him making it. Brent Cockbain is also a surprise inclusion, ahead of Chris Wyatt.

Hansen has named fourteen forwards and seventeen backs in his 31 man squad. Strangely Hansen has named four hookers, but one will miss out come September tenth.

Kevin Morgan is given a chance despite his knee injury, Hansen prepared to take the risk with either Garan Evans or Rhys Williams able to fill in at fifteen if Morgan doesn't make it. The main surprise is Shane Williams, who has finally made it after being nearly ignored completely by Hansen over the last two years.

Both Robinson brothers miss out as do fellow three Gavin Henson, Matthew Watkins  and Andy Marinos. Craig Morgan, Dafydd James and Ryan Powell do not appear to have recovered from injury. Scarlets Mike Phillips will be considered unlucky to miss out due to Shane Williams being third choice scrum half as well as a winger.

No Rhys Oakley or Richard Parks in the back row, with Jonathan Thomas doing enough to pip them. Martyn Williams is the only recognised open side in the squad. Major shock that there's no Chris Wyatt, but Wyatt's attitude has hardly been that inspiring recently. Taking Wyatt's place is the Warriors Brent Cockbain who only qualified on the residential rule a few months ago is given a spot, Cockbain could be the ideal partner for Robert Sidoli at lock, having played together at Ponty for the last few seasons.

In the forwards, there are plenty of options among the back row contingent, Michael Owen can fit into the second row or back row and Gethin Jenkins can pack on either side of the front row. Colin Charvis will cover the openside position in the short term.

Good to see Ben Evans hasn't been included, the Blues prop hasn't performed in a Welsh shirt all year. Other than that it's all what we expected really.

Forwards: Jonathan Thomas (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), Colin Charvis (unattached), Dafydd Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Alix Popham (Leeds Tykes), Michael Owen (Gwent Dragons), Gareth Llewellyn (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Robert Sidoli (Celtic Warriors), Brent Cockbain (Celtic Warriors), Gethin Jenkins (Celtic Warriors), Adam Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Duncan Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Iestyn Thomas (Llanelli Scarlets), Gareth Williams (Cardiff Blues), Robin McBryde (Llanelli Scarlets), Huw Bennett (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Mefin Davies (Celtic Warriors).

Backs: Kevin Morgan (Celtic Warriors), Rhys Williams (Cardiff Blues), Garan Evans (Llanelli Scarlets), Gareth Thomas (Celtic Warriors), Mark Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Mark Taylor (Llanelli Scarlets), Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), Sonny Parker (Celtic Warriors), Iestyn Harris (Cardiff Blues), Ceri Sweeney (Celtic Warriors), Stephen Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Celtic Warriors), Shane Williams (Neath-Swansea Ospreys).

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