Wyatt Called Into Wales Tour Party

Llanelli lock Chris Wyatt has been called into the Wales tour party to travel to Australia and New Zealand next month.
The 29-year-old replaces Pontypridd’s Michael Owen, who has been forced to pull out with knee ligament damage. Capped 33 times, Wyatt won his first cap as a replacement against Zimbabwe on the summer tour to southern Africa in 1998 and last played for Wales as a replacement against Scotland on 6 April, 2002.
‘We wanted to have another middle of the line jumper and that’s why we went for Chris. This is a real opportunity for him,’ said Wales coach Steve Hansen.
Wales meet the Barbarians in an uncapped match at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday before they head down under for their two-Test tour. They face the world champion Wallabies in Sydney on 14 June and then face New Zealand in Hamilton a week later.
Bridgend hooker Gareth Williams will undergo fitness tests this week after picking up a hamstring injury in training. Hansen is due to name his team to face the Baa-Baas on Wednesday.
‘Gareth strained his hamstring in training today (Monday, 26 May) and we will have to see how he responds to treatment this week. We will take a check on him before announcing our team to play the Barbarians,’ said Hansen.
Hansen watched the Baa-Baas trounce an England XV 49-36 at Twickenham on Sunday and knows his side are in for a tough time on Saturday.
‘It promises to be a really tough test for our players – just what we need before going to play Australia and New Zealand,’ said Hansen.
‘It will be great for them to face so many top class players and the game will not only be a chance to blow away a few cobwebs, but also to try out a few new things we’ve been working on in training.
‘The Barbarians have once again put together a highly competitive squad of world class players. They proved just how dangerous they can be at Twickenham.
‘There are some real crowd pleasers among them and they obviously take a lot of pride in their ability and performance. It promises to be a great game for the players and fans at the weekend.’
Welsh legend Neil Jenkins is training with the Wales Squad this week ahead of his farewell international appearance in Saturday’s ‘Goodwill Game’. Jenkins has already been confirmed in the Wales XV line-up for the game in what will be his 100th appearance in Welsh colours.
Tickets are selling well for the game and can be purchased by calling the Millennium Stadium Ticket Hotline on: 08705 582582.