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Tag: Wales (Page 10 of 19)

WALES INJURY BLOW

February 6, 2012 /

Wales have been dealt another major injury blow ahead of their Six Nations opener away to Ireland on Sunday. Matthew Rees has picked up a calf strain in training and is set to be sidelined for two weeks, ruling him out of the Ireland clash and also Scotland’s visit to Cardiff a week later.

Rees was not a shoe in for a start against Ireland, facing a battle with Huw Bennett for the number two shirt but the option to have him will be a blow to Warren Gatland’s side. Rees missed the World Cup through injury, with Bennett taking his place in New Zealand. Rees was a potential captain for the Welsh during the Six Nations, having led them in last year’s tournament. The role of captain now looks set to be taken by World Cup talisman, Sam Warburton.

Rees’ injury adds to a long list of casualties ahead of the Six Nations for Warren Gatland. Prop Gethin Jenkins, Hooker Lloyd Burns and Second Row duo Luke charteris and Alun Wyn Jones are all out of at least the opening encounter with Jamie Roberts, Rhys Priestland and Dan Lydiate all doubts for the game.

Gatland will announce his team for the Ireland game at noon on Friday with the expected selections of uncapped Ashley Beck replacing Roberts, James Hook in for Priestland and Ryan Jones in for Lydiate if each of them are not fit to start.
After a hugely successful World Cup campaign the Welsh will have been hoping to match their performances in New Zealand with a strong Six Nations campaign.

This string of injury worries will come as a blow for them ahead of a campaign which will see trips to Dublin and Twickenham and hosting Scotland, Italy and their World Cup conquerors, France. It is set to be a difficult campaign for Wales and with a number of key players missing it is getting more and more difficult as time goes on.

WARBURTON: NO ISSUES ON CAPTAINCY

January 26, 2012 /

Sam Warburton, who so famously led Wales to the World Cup Semi Final in the autumn, has declared he will have no issues standing aside if Matthew Rees is reappointed captain for the upcoming Six Nations campaign.

Rees led Wales in last year’s Six Nations, only to miss the World Cup in New Zealand with a neck injury. Warburton stepped into his boots and received a huge amount of praise from all sides for his leadership skills, despite his sending off against France proving a crucial part of their eventual elimination from the tournament.

Warburton though, who has also been named Rugby Writers Club’s personality of the year this week insists it is playing for his country that is the most important thing to him whether that be as captain or under someone such as Rees.

Warburton told BBC sport “I’ve had no indication what’s going to happen, but Matthew was captain for the last Six Nations campaign. He did a brilliant job and it was only bad luck why he didn’t end up being captain in the World Cup”.

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WILLIAMS BOWS OUT

December 1, 2011 /

When Wales run out against Australia on Saturday it will be the last time they are able to name record try scorer, Shane Williams. Over the last 12 years Williams has been key to Wales’ succeses scoring 55 tries in 86 appearances, winning two Grand Slams and making it to a World Cup Semi Final earlier this year. He will make his 87th appearance and final appearance at the Millennium Stadium, scene of so many of his international triumphs.

The impact of Shane Williams and his place in the hearts of all involved in Welsh Rugby was seen in their training session on Tuesday. All the players and coaches took to the field and trained wearing ‘Shane Williams’ masks. Williams was also given the honour of announcing the team for Saturdays repeat of the World Cup Bronze medal match. Williams’ face is everywhere in the Wales team hotel, with a picture even placed above the urinals in the toilets.

Williams although always recognised for his individual performances has always been the ultimate professional and nothing has changed ahead of the clash with Australia. The World Cup semi finalists have not beaten any of the Tri Nations sides for three years now and Williams is targeting going out on a high. He is still talking with excitement about the future of Welsh Rugby despite the fact it will be a future without Shane Williams on the wing. “The future for Wales is exciting. We have a number of talented youngsters coming through, brimming with confidence.” It seems strange to think of a Welsh team without Williams in nowadays, but it is a thought the Welsh public will have to get used to. The end of one era marks the beginning of another though, and with the likes of Sam Warburton, George North and Toby Faletau set the world alight in New Zealand and the Welsh are looking set to maintain their place at Rugby’s top table for many years to come.

Saturday will be an emotional day for Williams and the Welsh, but the future is exciting. A future that Williams will no doubt be enjoying with the rest of us.

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