In the mix: Josh Navidi
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Wales have included Eli Walker, James King, Andrew Coombs, Josh Navidi and Andries Pretorius in their Six Nations squad ahead of facing Ireland.
Captain Sam Waburton will lead the side as they prepare to defend their Six Nations title and will be joined in the squad by uncapped Blues back-row colleagues Navidi and Pretorius.
Second-row duo King (Ospreys) and Coombs (Dragons) have also been called into the squad for the first time alongside Ospreys wing Walker.
Coach Rob Howley has named an experienced contingent in the front-row which is bolstered by the return of Adam Jones (Ospreys) and Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), who feature alongside Gethin Jenkins (Toulon), Paul James (Bath), Scott Andrews (Blues) and Ryan Bevington (Ospreys). Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets) and Richard Hibbard (Ospreys) are the hookers.
Ian Evans (Ospreys), Lou Reed (Blues) and Josh Turnbull (Scarlets) who all featured in the end-of-year squad remain in the 35-man group and are joined by King and Coombs.
Former Wales U20 lock King, 22, has impressed for the Ospreys this term domestically and in Europe and will vie for a second row berth with Dragons forward Coombs. The 28-year-old, who can also play in the back-row, has caught the eye of the Welsh management this season. Injuries to Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Bradley Davies (Blues) and Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) have ruled them out of initial selection.
In the back-row, captain Waburton is named alongside experienced Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) and Aaron Shingler (Scarlets). Former Wales U20 captain Navidi is rewarded for his performances this season with his first call-up to the national squad as is 27-year-old Blues captain Pretorius. Born in Nelspruit, South Africa, Pretorius will add fire-power to the back row options and qualifies on residency.
In the backline Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Blues) and Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets) will contest the number nine jersey. They will be joined at half-back by Dan Biggar (Ospreys) and James Hook (Perpignan), with Rhys Priestland (Scarlets) unavailable due to injury.
The experience in the backline continues with Blues trio Alex Cuthbert, Jamie Roberts and Leigh Halfpenny all named alongside Jonathan Davies, George North Scott Williams and Liam Williams (all Scarlets). Clermont Auvergne full-back Lee Byrne returns to the squad.
The 2012 Grand Slam champions begin the defence of their title against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on February 2, before facing France in Paris the following weekend.
"We have put together a very experienced squad and complimented that by rewarding the in-form players with a call-up," said Howley.
"The players in the squad have been playing really well and we have been pleased with their individual performances.
"We have a group of players who know how to win big matches and have experienced success. We are adding to that, players who have stood out and performed well for the regions this season."
Wales squad for Six Nations:
Forwards: Scott Andrews, Craig Mitchell, Adam Jones, Paul James, Gethin Jenkins, Ryan Bevington, Richard Hibbard, Ken Owens, Matthew Rees, Ryan Jones, Lou Reed, Ian Evans, James King, Andrew Coombs, Josh Turnbull, Josh Navidi, Aaron Shingler, Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton, Toby Faletau, Andries Pretorius.
Backs: Tavis Knoyle, Mike Phillips, Lloyd Williams, Dan Biggar, James Hook, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Scott Williams, Alex Cuthbert, George North, Eli Walker, Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Lee Byrne.
Comments
lawynd says...
Where's BokAvenger bemoaning more talent being stolen from South Africa when you need him? ;)
Kidding aside, that's an decent side considering the scale of injuries that have hit Wales recently. I'll be disappointed if Warburton waltzes straight back in however, Tipuric is head and shoulders above him at the moment.
Posted 10:20 17th January 2013
bruno74 says...
@jmanngod - explain any welsh in there ???
@carpelone - His name is Josh Navidi , how does it surprise you that a young man grows dreadlocks .
Posted 11:45 16th January 2013
jontheref says...
Best squad available, with possibly the exception of Bearman, who owned Shingler in the O's Scarlets game.
But this is a squad, it will come down to where Howlers picks players.
Don't expect too many surprises.
Ryan and Hibbard were plastered up and sling wearing yesterday, so wonder if they will be back for the Irish game.
This squad is for the 6N, not just one game.
Posted 07:52 16th January 2013
jontheref says...
Best squad available, with possibly the exception of Bearman, who owned Shingler in the O's Scarlets game.
But this is a squad, it will come down to where Howlers picks players.
Don't expect too many surprises.
Ryan and Hibbard were plastered up and sling wearing yesterday, so wonder if they will be back for the Irish game.
This squad is for the 6N, not just one game.
Posted 07:52 16th January 2013
kennyisgay says...
@ rugby_rockstar... that plan's won them a grand slam and made the semi final of the RWC in the last couple of seasons einstein. But then again bosh and particularly no brain is all you need to win in the NH huh?
Posted 21:52 15th January 2013
jimbosim says...
Olly Kohn - I would have loved to have seen this guy in the squad, real dog?
Lou Reed - This guy has no dog what so ever - shambles?
Posted 20:45 15th January 2013
carpelone says...
Who the heck is this guy with dreadlocks?
How comes that a Welsh has dreadlocks?
Is there any possibility that Kirchener qualify for Wales?
Posted 20:08 15th January 2013
jmanngod says...
any welsh in there?
Posted 19:27 15th January 2013
NHsaints says...
Walker is a great inclusion...selecting Warburton as captain though, with his form being so shaky? Well we'll see if that pays off...
Posted 19:02 15th January 2013
Dezz says...
My apologies. After posting I checked Copelands nationality and found out he was Irish.
Posted 17:19 15th January 2013
Kent says...
Looks like Jiffy talked Rhys Patchell out of a place.
@rugby_rockstar(sic) - George North and Jamie Roberts - "big dopey lumps". Like to be in that room when you tell them to their faces, pop down to the Vale Hotel next week. Phillips - well yeah
Posted 16:32 15th January 2013
RugbyLocos says...
I would like to see the following welsh back line;
Williams
Hook
Roberts
Davies
Halfpenny
Cuthbert
Byrne
Posted 16:17 15th January 2013
TVaddict says...
@GCP_jones
Yeah he can, has a Olly Kohn Welsh granddad I believe.
I'd just like to say that James King is a great example of the modern age we live in and of the qualification rules working. English parents, born in Australia, but lived in Wales most of his life. He could, and should, be able to play for all of them and the only thing that matters is what he decides.
Posted 15:17 15th January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
The welsh attack has been all bosh no brains for a couple of seasons now, lets see if walker's inclusion means we'll see something a little more demannding than big dopey lumps of meat like Roberts / Davies / North / Cuthbert / Phillips et all running diagonally into well prepared defenses.
Posted 14:57 15th January 2013
melkdave says...
Myself would have liked to have seen Bearman in the squad ,so Wales could field the Ospreys backrow,They work well together as seen by the performances against Toulouse and Lecester recently..Warburton captain again ,when his still not performing,along with MRees,M.Phillips ,and to a certain extent J.Roberts.Nice to see some new faces ,but then i guess no choice when it comes to lock but still to many places going to players with a reputation ,and not on form.Wales will do a sprited defence ,but i think 4th is the best they will get this year tbh,Given the injuries and players confidance ect.
Posted 14:14 15th January 2013
bruno74 says...
@Dezz Robin Copeland is Irish ..
Posted 13:40 15th January 2013
GCP_jones says...
@Dezz...
Could Olly Kohn play for Wales?, a very under-rated player.
Posted 13:24 15th January 2013
yelloj321 says...
@Dezz
Copeland is Irish
Posted 13:21 15th January 2013
5Lock4ward says...
Every time Wales announce a squad I look for the other Shingler brother who tried to jump ship to Scotland. I fear he may never have an international career after those shenanigans.
Posted 12:55 15th January 2013
Dezz says...
Would of liked to have seen James Down and Robin Copeland of the Blues getting a call up. I hope Wales play some proper second rows and not converted flankers.
Olly Kohn could have added some much needed bulk and grunt.
On another note would much prefer to see the Six Nations at the end of the season. Ideally you play your leagues see who qualifies for the European cups, then the Euro Cups, Six Nations and tour. If you get knocked out of Europe early you get to spend more time practicing and/or rehab with the national teams. Maybe then the NH sides will be more competitve and battle hardend when they tour.
Posted 12:46 15th January 2013