Sunday, August 14, 2011

Trio return to boost Wales' hopes

Adam Jones, Lee Byrne and Leigh Halfpenny Adam Jones, Lee Byrne and Leigh Halfpenny are fit to face Argentina

Adam Jones, Lee Byrne and Leigh Halfpenny have boosted Wales ahead of the World Cup.

Full-back Byrne, wing Halfpenny and prop Jones are fit to face Argentina in Wales' final tournament warm-up game at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Byrne has recovered from a knee injury, Jones a toe problem and Halfpenny an ankle issue.

The fitness of Stephen Jones, Rhys Priestland, Ryan Jones and Gethin Jenkins will be assessed on Monday.

Fly-half Jones suffered a calf strain which forced him out of Wales' 6 August 23-19 defeat by England at Twickenham.

Fellow Scarlet Priestland impressed when he took over in that game, but suffered a thigh injury in Wales' 19-9 rematch win at the Millennium Stadium seven days later.

Back-five forward Jones, who appeared as a replacement at Twickenham, has a calf strain, as does prop Jenkins, who returned to the squad this summer following toe surgery in January.

Wales coach Warren Gatland will make numerous changes against the Pumas, including another midfield shake-up forced by Gavin Henson's dislocated wrist and Priestland's absence.

  • v South Africa: 11 Sept, Wellington
  • v Samoa: 18 Sept, Hamilton
  • v Namibia: 26 Sept, New Plymouth
  • v Fiji: 02 Oct, Hamilton

Byrne's return is timely given Morgan Stoddart's broken leg and the possibility of Hook's versatility being needed at centre in Henson's absence.

Halfpenny is also a full-back option, giving Gatland some welcome depth in the back three.

Veteran openside Martyn Williams will have the chance to press his claims in the face of Sam Warburton's emergence as a player Gatland has described as "the best number seven in the northern hemisphere".

In the wake of Wales' win over England - their first in three attempts in 2011 - Gatland said: "There are going to be a lot of changes next week and a lot of experience coming in.

"Hopefully Gethin Jenkins is fit, and Adam Jones, and Martyn Williams will get an opportunity.

"It is a nice position to be in, when you can pick an experienced side to play Argentina. Usually when you make changes you bring younger guys in.

"But the pressure is going to be on them [the experienced players] to front up and perform. For these players there is a hell of a lot to play for.

"It was a good win against England, but we have still got to keep working on our game, and building confidence, so people don't think when Wales play South Africa on 11 September it is a surprise if Wales win."

Wales' medical performance manager Prav Mathema said: "Both Lee Byrne (knee) and Leigh Halfpenny (ankle) have been declared fully fit and available for selection next week against the Pumas.

"Stephen Jones, Ryan Jones, Gethin Jenkins and Rhys Priestland will all be re-assessed on Monday morning."

However, there are severe doubts that captain Matthew Rees will be able to take part in New Zealand as the British and Irish Lions hooker requires surgery on his "severely painful" neck injury.

Gatland names his 30-man squad for World Cup on Monday, 22 August.

Wales' preliminary World Cup squad

Forwards: Scott Andrews, Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Lloyd Burns (Dragons), Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Adam Jones, Paul James (Ospreys), Ken Owens, Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Craig Mitchell (Exeter), Bradley Davies, Sam Warburton, Martyn Williams (Blues), Luke Charteris, Danny Lydiate, Toby Faletau (Dragons), Ryan Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Josh Turnbull, (Scarlets),Gareth Delve (Melbourne Rebels), Andy Powell (Sale Sharks).

Backs: Michael Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Blues), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Blues), James Hook (Perpignan), Jonathan Davies, Stephen Jones, Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), Lee Byrne (Clermont Auvergne), Aled Brew (Dragons), Shane Williams (Ospreys), George North (Scarlets).

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