TSUNAMI AID: RUGBY STYLE…

Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward, who is also coaching the North XV in the IRB fixture, formally announced his squad yesterday (Friday) and included five Welsh players in his 22. Joining Peel in the star-studded line-up will be Ceri Sweeney, Rhys Williams, Jonathan Thomas and John Yapp.

“The guys that have been named today are world-class and I am looking forward to working with such an outstanding group of players. The game promises to be a great spectacle as the North team are a great match up for the players already named by Rod McQueen for his South side,”  said Woodward.

“Both teams are fielding top quality sides and I really hope that the rugby public and community get behind this game so that we are playing in front of a packed out Twickenham to raise as much money as possible for such a deserving cause.” 

The game will give the Welsh contingent another chance to impress Woodward ahead of selection for the Lions tour to New Zealand this summer. While Peel will be looking forward to battling with Wallaby World Cup winner Gregan, Sweeney could find himself going head-to-head with All Blacks legend Andrew Mehrtens.  

Thomas, meanwhile, will be lining-up alongside fellow Lions candidates Lawrence Dallaglio and Simon Taylor for back row consideration. The South XV have been forced to replace All Black No 8 Jerome Kaino with Australia’s highly experienced Toutai Kefu.

The proceeds for the match will go to the IRB’s humanitarian partner, the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) to support the vital rebuilding work being carried out in the region devastated by the Tsunami on 26 December 2004.

North Squad : Lawrence Dallaglio, Ben Cohen (England), Aurelien Rougerie, Damien Traille, Fabien Pelous, Raphael Ibanez, Pieter de Villiers (France), Brian O’Driscoll (captain), Paul O’Connell, David Humphreys (Ireland), Chris Paterson, Chris Cusiter, Gordon Bullock, Simon Taylor (Scotland), Andrea Lo Cicero, Marco Bortolami, Sergio Parisse (Italy), Dwayne Peel, Ceri Sweeney, Jonathan Thomas, Rhys Williams, John Yapp (Wales).

South XV: Chris Latham (AUS); Rupeni Caucaunibuca (FJI) Jacque Fourie (SA) Tana Umaga (NZ), Sireli Bobo (FJI); Andrew Mehrtens (NZ) George Gregan (AUS, capt); Carl Hoeft (NZ), John Smit (SA), Kobus Visagie (SA), Ifereimi Rawaqa (FJI), Victor Matfield (SA), Schalk Burger (SA), Phil Waugh (AUS), Toutai Kefu (AUS). 

Reserves: Bruce Reihana (NZ), Brian Lima (SAM), Ephraim Taukafa (TON), Opeta Palepoi (Sam), Semo Sititi (SAM), Moses Rauluni (FJI), one player to be announced