WRU Audio: Nigel Davies on Wales v South Africa team selection
WRU Audio: New cap Morgan Stoddart talks about winning his first cap
The 23-year-old Llanelli Scarlets full back joins an exciting ‘new look’ national team which includes three other players yet to reach double figures in appearances;Â Dragons prop Rhys Thomas (2), Ospreys lock Ian Evans (7) and Blues back-row forward Robin Sowden-Taylor (4).
Stoddart figures in an otherwise experienced back line which features recalled Osprey Gavin Henson, who forms a familiar centre partnership with regional colleague Sonny Parker. Mark Jones (Scarlets) and Tom Shanklin (Blues) take up position on the wings with Ospreys fly-half James Hook partnering Scarlets scrum-half Dwayne Peel. Fellow Scarlet Stephen Jones takes up a place on the bench making Peel now the most senior back in the starting XV boasting 58 caps.
In the back row Colin Charvis will make his 94th Welsh appearance alongside Blues specialist openside flanker Sowden-Taylor and the Osprey’s Jonathan Thomas at No.8. Another Ospreys partnership is re-united in the second row with Alun Wyn-Jones partnering Ian Evans. New Wales Captain and Cardiff Blues prop Gethin Jenkins joins the South African-born Thomas to pack down either side of Ospreys hooker Huw Bennett.
“We’ve had our hand forced a little in the backs with injuries to both Lee Byrne and Jamie Robinson ruling them out of contention, but the result is a pretty exciting new look backline which I’m sure can make South Africa stand up and take notice,” said Davies.
“Morgan has been in a rich vein of form of late and if he can retain his composure in what will surely be a cauldron atmosphere at the Millennium Stadium and allow his talent to show through then he could make quite a debut. All the fans will notice that Gavin is back and his partnership with both James Hook and Sonny Parker at the Ospreys has been going well of late which is the main reason for going with that combination.
“We will rely on the experience which Dwayne Peel brings to the side, Tom Shanklin remains a threat wherever you play him and Mark Jones is another who has been playing well.
“Up front we have a similar mix of youth, talent and experience with Gethin (Jenkins) already making an impact off the pitch as team captain and Colin Charvis looking like he can go on forever at the moment. Robin (Sowden-Taylor) features as a specialist in his position which we feel is necessary to combat the physicality of the Springbok pack and he offers a streetwise nature which is beyond his years and international experience which players in Wales will know all about.
“We have a big second row with Alun (Wyn Jones) and Ian (Evans) giving a nice balance to the team and we are pleased with the way Huw (Bennett) has performed at regional level.
“That just leaves Rhys (Thomas) at prop who will very much relish the opportunity to turn out against the country of his birth and show his talents. We also have a strong bench with both Mike Phillips and Stephen Jones able to come on and make an impact and maybe change the way we are playing if necessary.
“Tom James offers us a great deal of pace if we need to call upon it and Alix Popham personifies the word ‘impact’ for those who know him. We are facing the current world champions and it’s obviously a tough prospect, but we are playing at home in front of a baying crowd of Welsh fans and we have a magnificent opportunity to make a statement that will reverberate around world rugby, this Wales team is good enough to do something special on Saturday.”
Ticket sales are going well for the inaugural Prince William Cup match between Wales and South Africa. If you want to be part of a very special occasion then tickets are available from the WRU Ticket Shop (98, St Mary Street), on-line at http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/ (shortcut www.wru.co.uk/pwctickets) or by calling Ticketmaster on 08705 582 582. Tickets are priced at £20, £40, £45, £50 and £60 for this unique match against the reigning World Champions.
Wales: Morgan Stoddart; Mark Jones, Sonny Parker, Gavin Henson, Tom Shanklin; James Hook, Dwayne Peel: Gethin Jenkins (Capt), Huw Bennett, Rhys Thomas, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Colin Charvis, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Jonathan Thomas
Replacements: T Rhys Thomas, Duncan Jones, Luke Charteris, Alix Popham, Mike Phillips, Stephen Jones, Tom James
