a batch of youngsters for next month's tour to Argentina and South Africa
Injury-hit Wales have been forced to blood a batch of youngsters for next month's tour to Argentina and South Africa with new coach Mike Ruddock naming three uncapped players in his squad.
Llanelli Scarlets full-back Barry Davies has gained a place among the 33-man party along with Newport Gwent Dragons forwards Peter Sidoli and Jason Forster.
There is also a recall for Leicester prop Darren Morris, more than two years after his last Test match appearance, while highly-rated young prospects such as wing Nathan Brew and fly-half Nicky Robinson also gain chances.
Ruddock, who took over from New Zealander Steve Hansen after the Six Nations Championship, has been hit by injuries for the three-Test trip. More than a dozen players are sidelined, including Iestyn Harris, Stephen Jones, Martyn Williams and Robin McBryde. "We have a few injury issues which has given the opportunity for a couple of players to come into the set-up," said Ruddock.
"Its a challenging tour, Ill expect the highest standards and everyone involved will have to compete for the jersey. I'm sure there'll be new faces in the starting line-up providing the new players reach the standard we want. And the fact that we are able to bring new players through at the highest level will undoubtedly pay dividends in the future.
"We are always trying to build strength in depth and this is a chance for one or two players to rise out of the shadows of others."
Wales meet Argentina in Tucuman on June 12th and Buenos Aires seven days later, followed by South Africa in Pretoria on June 26th.
Wales squad. Backs Gareth Thomas (Toulouse), Rhys Williams (Cardiff Blues), Barry Davies (Llanelli Scarlets), Shane Williams (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Nathan Brew (Newport Gwent Dragons), Craig Morgan (Cardiff Blues), Sonny Parker (Celtic Warriors), Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), Hal Luscombe (Newport Gwent Dragons), Gavin Henson (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Ceri Sweeney (Celtic Warriors), Nicky Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets), Michael Phillips (Llanelli Scarlets), Andy Williams (Neath-Swansea Ospreys)
Forwards Iestyn Thomas (Llanelli Scarlets), Gethin Jenkins (Celtic Warriors), Adam Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Duncan Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Darren Morris (Leicester), Mefin Davies (Celtic Warriors), Huw Bennett (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Steven Jones (Newport Gwent Dragons), Brent Cockbain (Celtic Warriors), Deiniol Jones (Celtic Warriors), Gareth Llewellyn (Swansea), Peter Sidoli (Newport Gwent Dragons), Dafydd Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Jonathan Thomas (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Jason Forster (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alix Popham (Leeds), Colin Charvis (Tarbes, France, capt), Michael Owen (Newport Gwent Dragons)
AFP - 2004.