Wales vs USA - Preview

By Zippy
June 2 2005

Preview of the Wales game against the USA this Saturday, the Welsh side are without the 10 Lions but the side still contains many of the Grand Slam stars. For team news and match details read on.

USA vs. Wales
New England
Saturday, June 4, 2005 at 8pm (Sky Sports2)
Rentschler Field, East Hartford

Wales:

15. Kevin Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons)

14. Rhys Williams (Cardiff Blues)

13. Mark Taylor (Sale Sharks, capt)

12. Ceri Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons)

11. Craig Morgan (Cardiff Blues)

10. Nicky Robinson (Cardiff Blues)

9. Michael Phillips (Cardiff Blues)

1. Duncan Jones (Ospreys)

2. Matthew Rees (Llanelli Scarlets)

3. Adam Jones (Ospreys)

4. Brent Cockbain (Ospreys)

5. Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons)

6. Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys)

7. Colin Charvis (Newcastle Falcons, vice-captain)

8. Ryan Jones (Ospreys).

Replacements:

Rhys Thomas (Cardiff Blues)

Ben Broster (Saracens)

Ian Gough (Newport Gwent Dragons)

Richie Pugh (Ospreys)

Andrew Williams (Bath Rugby)

Matthew Watkins (Llanelli Scarlets),

Tal Selley (Llanelli Scarlets).

The Backs:

Mike Phillips gets a chance to link up with Nicky Robinson before he plays his first game with the Blues, this young duo are both highly talented but need to shine if they are to put pressure on Dwayne Peel and Stephen Jones.

In the midfield Captain and veteran Mark Taylor wins his 50^th Cap and is joined by Ceri Sweeney who it is hoped will fill the ‘Henson’ role at 12 with his footballing skills.

The back 3 is all about pace Kev Morgan is on fire. Rhys Williams & Craig Morgan need big games after playing in a struggling Blues side this season.

The Forwards:

In the front row the Hair Bears are joined by new cap Mathew Rees in a young exciting front row.

At lock young Luke Chateris is brought into the side alongside grand slam hero Brent Cockbain, its probably the tallest lock pairing Wales have ever fielded.

In the back row ‘Old Man’ Colin Charvis is joined by the youthful but already experienced Jonny Thomas and Ryan Jones.

The Bench:

Nowt much of note, we’ll see how good Saracens Ben Broster is in the 2^nd Half, Tal Selley and Mathew J Watkins will have opportunities to score. Richie Pugh continues to be underrated and Rhys Thomas will not have expected this opportunity.

Zippy View:

Wales by 20-30