Wales Squad To North America

By Zippy
May 5 2005

Wales coach Mike Ruddock has named his squad to go to North America. They take on Canada and the USA, for details and reaction read on.

Backs: K Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Williams (Cardiff Blues), C Czekaj (Cardiff Blues), C Morgan (Cardiff Blues), T Selley (Llanelli Scarlets), M Taylor (Sale Sharks, capt), M Watkins (Llanelli Scarlets), C Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons), M Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), N Robinson (Cardiff Blues), M Phillips (Llanelli Scarlets), A Williams (Bath).

Forwards: D Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), J Yapp (Cardiff Blues), B Broster (Saracens), A Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), M Davies (Gloucester), R Thomas (Cardiff Blues), M Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), L Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), B Cockbain (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), I Gough (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Sidoli (Cardiff Blues), C Charvis (Newcastle), R Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), R Pugh (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), R Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff Blues), J Thomas (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), A Popham (Leeds).

Mark Taylor leads the Welsh squad out to North America this summer which includes 4 of the Grand Slam winning side.

The big surprise is Saracens Ben Broster who I have never heard of, he takes the place of Chris Horsman who will not be "Welsh" until September.

Players like Mathew Jones and John Yapp should also get opportunity to show how good they are.

Anyway here is my XV with reasons why:

15 K Morgan - On fire should be in NZ
14 R Williams - Pace and we need him fit and on form
13 M Watkins - Always talented and has a chance to shine
12 M Taylor - 50th Cap for a great servant
11 C Czekaj - We need wingers, this guy is quick and looks the biz
10 N Robinson - Just the type of fly half we need
9 M Phillips - Solid and deserves a chance
1 D Jones - Got injured at the wrong time, his chance will come again
2 M Rees - We need a young hooker, this guy could be something
3 A Jones - Will become a rock, the tighthead we've needed for ages
4 B Cockbain - Does some of the dirty work that is needed
5 R Sidoli - Returning to top form, can feel aggreived he is not in NZ
6 J Thomas- Talented but gone off the boil, he'll be back
7 C Charvis - Experience to return to top form
8 R Jones - Huge ball carrier, does a lot of work.

Wales play Canada on June 4th
And the USA on June 11th

Zippy Comment

All round a good mix of youth and experience, I'd have like to seen Aled Brew who starred for the U21s as well. But you can't please everyone!