Hansen Set To Blood New Caps In Ireland

Steve Hansen will blood up to six new caps in the first of Wales’ World Cup warm-up matches against Ireland at Lansdowne Road, Dublin on Saturday, 16 August.
Wales Under 21 outside half Nicky Robinson will make his full Test debut at full back, while the new Gwent Dragons back row man Rhys Oakley will start for his adopted nation at blindside flanker.
The four other uncapped players are all current or former Under 21 caps and figure among the replacements – Neath-Swansea Ospreys hooker Huw Bennett, Cardiff Blues flanker Robin Sowden-Taylor, Neath-Swansea Ospreys scrum-half Andy Williams and Gwent Dragons utility back Nathan Brew.
Gareth Thomas will become the 119th Welsh captain when he leads the side at Lansdowne Road. Capped 66 times, the Celtic Warriors wing is only three tries short of Ieuan Evans’ Welsh record of 33 in 72 Tests.
“The first thing we have got to do before we can go to the World Cup is reduce our squad to 30 players. The August matches are ideal for us to look at every candidate and give them the chance to show us what they can do,” said Wales coach Steve Hansen.
“We simply can’t play our best side in four successive games in a two week period, especially when our major focus is being at our peak at the World Cup and not in August for these friendly games.
“We have to balance our World Cup training needs with those of giving the players a chance to play in a competitive environment. We have a set of criteria for each of the four games in August and will select our sides accordingly.
“That is no different to any of the other nations, all of who will be approaching these friendly fixtures as stepping stones to the World Cup in Australia.”
Hansen’s selection sees Garan Evans pick up his second cap five years on from his first, Iestyn Harris figure at inside centre, Duncan Jones come in a loose head prop and Michael Owen switch to the second row. Ceri Sweeney will earn his second cap at outside half in an exciting half-back partnership with Dwayne Peel and Richard Parks will earn his third cap at openside flanker.
“There are some exciting partnerships in the side and we have told all the players that there are World Cup places up for grabs. That should provide them with ample incentive to go out and perform like true Test players,” said Hansen.
“We have brought in players from outside our original 43 strong squad because of injuries. We are short on full backs and wings at present, which means that Nicky Robinson, Garan Evans and Nathan Brew have been given the chance to play at this level.
“As far as Iestyn Harris is concerned, we have decided he’s best suited to us as an inside centre. He has started four times at centre for us, and only three times at outside half and that is where we see his international future.
“With Michael Owen, we are working hard to turn him into a big, mobile, ball handling second row. That’s what his training programme is geared to and he is adapting very well to it.
“We are looking to the future with players like Michael and these four games are ideal to give him the chance to try out in that position.”
The elevation of Gareth Thomas to the captaincy role, in the absence of any of the four squad skippers, Martyn Williams, Colin Charvis, Robin McBryde and Stephen Jones, was an easy one to take for Hansen.
“Gareth Thomas has been one of our best and most consistent players who proved at Bridgend last season that he can command the respect of his team. He is well liked and respected by all the players and. Since his recall to the squad he has been a leader both on and off the field for us,” said Hansen.
WALES (v Ireland): Nicky Robinson (Cardiff Blues); Garan Evans (Llanelli Scarlets), Jamie Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Iestyn Harris (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Thomas (Celtic Warriors, captain); Ceri Sweeney (Celtic Warriors), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets); Duncan Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Mefin Davies (Celtic Warriors), Ben Evans (Cardiff Blues), Michael Owen (Gwent Dragons), Gareth Llewellyn (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Rhys Oakley (Gwent Dragons), Richard Parks (Celtic Warriors), Alix Popham (Leeds Tykes).