Adam Jones, Lee Byrne and Leigh Halfpenny boost Wales

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/14522810.stm

Adam Jones, Lee Byrne and Leigh Halfpenny have boosted Wales ahead of the World Cup.

Full-back Byrne, wing Halfpenny and prop Jones are fit to face Argentina in Wales' final tournament warm-up game at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Byrne has recovered from a knee injury, Jones a toe problem and Halfpenny an ankle issue.

The fitness of Stephen Jones, Rhys Priestland, Ryan Jones and Gethin Jenkins will be assessed on Monday.

Fly-half Jones suffered a calf strain which forced him out of Wales' 6 August 23-19 defeat by England at Twickenham.

Fellow Scarlet Priestland impressed when he took over in that game, but suffered a thigh injury in Wales' 19-9 rematch win at the Millennium Stadium seven days later.

Back-five forward Jones, who appeared as a replacement at Twickenham, has a calf strain, as does prop Jenkins, who returned to the squad this summer following toe surgery in January.

Wales coach Warren Gatland will make numerous changes against the Pumas, including another midfield shake-up forced by Gavin Henson's dislocated wrist and Priestland's absence.

Byrne's return is timely given Morgan Stoddart's broken leg and the possibility of Hook's versatility being needed at centre in Henson's absence.

Halfpenny is also a full-back option, giving Gatland some welcome depth in the back three.

Veteran openside Martyn Williams will have the chance to press his claims in the face of Sam Warburton's emergence as a player Gatland has described as "the best number seven in the northern hemisphere".

In the wake of Wales' win over England - their first in three attempts in 2011 - Gatland said: "There are going to be a lot of changes next week and a lot of experience coming in.

"Hopefully Gethin Jenkins is fit, and Adam Jones, and Martyn Williams will get an opportunity.

"It is a nice position to be in, when you can pick an experienced side to play Argentina. Usually when you make changes you bring younger guys in.

"But the pressure is going to be on them [the experienced players] to front up and perform. For these players there is a hell of a lot to play for.

"It was a good win against England, but we have still got to keep working on our game, and building confidence, so people don't think when Wales play South Africa on 11 September it is a surprise if Wales win."

Wales' medical performance manager Prav Mathema said: "Both Lee Byrne (knee) and Leigh Halfpenny (ankle) have been declared fully fit and available for selection next week against the Pumas.

"Stephen Jones, Ryan Jones, Gethin Jenkins and Rhys Priestland will all be re-assessed on Monday morning."

However, there are severe doubts that captain Matthew Rees will be able to take part in New Zealand as the British and Irish Lions hooker requires surgery on his "severely painful" neck injury.

Gatland names his 30-man squad for World Cup on Monday, 22 August.

Wales' preliminary World Cup squad

Forwards: Scott Andrews, Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Lloyd Burns (Dragons), Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Adam Jones, Paul James (Ospreys), Ken Owens, Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Craig Mitchell (Exeter), Bradley Davies, Sam Warburton, Martyn Williams (Blues), Luke Charteris, Danny Lydiate, Toby Faletau (Dragons), Ryan Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Josh Turnbull, (Scarlets),Gareth Delve (Melbourne Rebels), Andy Powell (Sale Sharks).

Backs: Michael Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Blues), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Blues), James Hook (Perpignan), Jonathan Davies, Stephen Jones, Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), Lee Byrne (Clermont Auvergne), Aled Brew (Dragons), Shane Williams (Ospreys), George North (Scarlets).

Here come the Cavalry!

excellent news!

Just a point Alyn, can you please put in a link to where you are getting your articles from? Ta.

rugbydreamer wrote:excellent news!

Just a point Alyn, can you please put in a link to where you are getting your articles from? Ta.

Done

That's great news for the squad. I just hope Wales don't incur any more injuries in the interim!

IMO I think its worth having a look at Halfpenny at XV, though if Byrne is fit to I guess he'll have a run on the wing.

We certainly need Jenks and Adam back.

I don't think it's an idea to put 1/2p at Full Back, he hasn't played for ages, so we'd be better off sticking him out on the wing while he gets used to the pace of the game again. We don;t want to put him in an unfamiliar role after such a long time out.
Bryne needs game time also so he's likely to be at Full back.
I kind of wonder if Gatland will give North a game at center also. no one has come forward to take the outside center spot alongside Roberts, so North might be out guy.

AlynDavies wrote:
I kind of wonder if Gatland will give North a game at center also. no one has come forward to take the outside center spot alongside Roberts, so North might be out guy.

eh?

George North and Shane Williams should be rested. Halfpenny should play on the wing for the reasons Alyn gives and Lee Byrne deserves the opportunity to show he should be our starting full back.

I'd like to see a back 3 of 15. Priestland (if fit), 14. Halfpenny, 11. Brew. otherwise either Byrne or Halfpenny at FB as choices are limited.

I still think the JD2 and Roberts partnership has a lot to offer, as long as Wales stop using Dr Bob as a one dimensional crash ball merchant - JD offers a lot of things, pace, strong defence, excellent offload, great running angles and good link up with Priestland, Stoddart and the Wings.

I think if you could get him running off Roberts when Roberts runs good angles and they could carve up teams.

Wherever we play halfpenny he has to be our first choice goal kicker, he can kick from 50+ metres and is very accurate, i have no idea why he isn't used more often for the blues and wales when fit.

It might be dangerous having him as your 1st choice kicker when he hasn't got gametime or had a chance to build up any form.

And Hook seemed to do well - personally I like the idea of mixing it between your 10 and another back, like Halfpenny (or Priestland if he was at FB), gives a choice of different styles and ranges.