Gatland considers Henson, Delve for RWC

Gatland considers Henson, Delve for RWC

4 Jun 2011

Wales coach Warren Gatland has named Gavin Henson and Gareth Delve in his 45-man preliminary World Cup squad.

Henson made his first Wales appearance in two years in Saturday’s loss to the Barbarians and is a favourite of the Wales coach. Delve has been playing No 8 for the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby, and has reportedly done enough to get a look in for the global tournament.

Veteran flanker Martyn Williams has also made this preliminary squad, but there is no place for young flyhalf Dan Biggar.

The training squad will assemble between 13 and 20 June to begin World Cup preparations, and embark on two separate training camps in Spala, Poland, from 2 to 11 July and from 18 to 26 July.

The squad will provide the match-day 22s for three Tests in August, where Wales will face England twice and then Argentina. Gatland will then trim the squad to 30 for the tournament in New Zealand.

Wales will face South Africa in the Pool D opener on 11 September.

Wales squad – Forwards: Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Lloyd Burns (Dragons), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Matthew Rees (Scarlets); Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Paul James (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), John Yapp (Cardiff Blues); Luke Charteris (Dragons), Bradley Davies (Blues), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Lou Reed (Scarlets); Gareth Delve (Melbourne Rebels), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Dragons), Rob McCusker (Scarlets), Andy Powell (Sale Sharks), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Sam Warburton (Blues), Martyn Williams (Blues).
Backs: Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Dwayne Peel (Sale Sharks), Mike Phillips (Ospreys), Richie Rees (Blues); Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Jason Tovey (Dragons), James Hook (Perpigan); Andrew Bishop (Ospreys), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Gavin Henson (Unattached), Jamie Roberts (Blues); George North (Scarlets), Aled Brew (Dragons), Morgan Stoddart (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Lee Byrne (Clermont Auvergne), Leigh Halfpenny (Blues).


2 Comments

  • 1.grant10: Reply to this comment
    5 Jun 2011, 09:21 am

    boks main competetion according to PDV….see they also lost to Barbarians

  • 2.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    6 Jun 2011, 00:01 am

    ‘boks main competetion according to PDV’

    along with Tonga apparently :)

    Delve should go, but the Tongan born Faletau started at 8 against the Baa Baas and was impressive.

    Surprised at Scarlet’s Priestland getting the nod over Ospreys Biggar at flyhalf. I guess being able to cover 15 works in his favour.

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