Jenkins names 32 man squad for the Invesco Perpetual Series

28-year-old Jones’s first task will be to steer the 32 man squad through the four match Invesco Perpetual Series which kicks-off against Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, 4 November.  Jenkins has rung the changes from the squad he took to Argentina in the summer after seeing a number of players who were unable to tour four months ago return to full fitness and form.

There are five survivors from the summer tour behind the scrum (Lee Byrne, Mark Jones, Shane Williams, James Hook and Michael Phillips) and nine up front (Duncan Jones, Adam Jones, Huw Bennett, Matthew Rees, Ian Gough, Ian Evans, Alun Wyn Jones, Alix Popham and Gavin Thomas). Jones takes over from namesake Duncan as the Welsh captain. He has led Wales on one previous occasion, against England at the Millennium Stadium in a warm-up game before the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

On his choice of Stephen Jones as captain, Gareth Jenkins said: “Stephen has all the attributes to make a magnificent captain of his country. He has the respect and regard of his players, leadership qualities that are evident for all to see and the talent and ability to lead from the front at game time.

“The decision process has been well documented in the media and it is true to say that it became a race between two highly respected squad members in the end, Stephen and Gareth Thomas. Duncan Jones and Martyn Williams were also in the mix and I see it as a real plus for this squad that there are so many good leaders involved.

“I flew out to see Gareth in Ulster at the weekend and took him through our thoughts on the subject. His reaction was admirable to say the least. It is fair to say that playing his rugby in France did not count in his favour in our decision, but Gareth’s point of view was that he holds Stephen in extremely high regard and that he will be on his shoulder supporting him throughout his tenure as captain.

“We certainly don’t want Gareth to change and, rather than affect what he brings to the table as an integral member of the squad, we believe we have added to it by appointing Stephen.

“Gareth will continue to be what he is and his infectious enthusiasm and leadership qualities will continue to benefit Wales for a long time to come.

“As for Stephen, I haven’t worked with him for four years and in that time he has lit up French rugby and impressed everyone on the world stage. Since we brought him to Llanelli as an 18-year-old there has always been a sense that he was destined to captain his country at some stage. I just wasn’t to know at the time it would be me making the appointment.”

Gareth Jenkins on the squad selection for the Invesco Perpetual Series: “We used our selection for this Series to lay realistic building blocks for the Rugby World Cup next Autumn. This is the first of four squad selections before RWC 2007 and we have tried to get a balance based on form, potential ability and the capacity of a player to fit into our way of thinking as a management team.

“The return of some key players who figured on the Lions tour a year ago and in Wales’s Grand Slam winning season in 2005 has made selection difficult. But that is exactly what any coach would want.

“We wanted to be challenged and competition for places in most positions is strong.  Those who have missed out should not be disheartened – just as those who have made the selection should not be complacent. We are at the beginning of a process and what we hope we have is the beginnings of a squad which will grow in time into Wales’s World Cup team.

“The selection door will remain open for a long time yet and senior players who we know a lot about could still figure. But we have a chance to assess this group against some of the best opposition in World rugby over the next month and that is where we must now concentrate our efforts.

“We want to WIN all four matches and will be selecting the sides to do so in each game.  Expectation is high due to the return of some players with big reputations and the rise of some new faces after our summer tour of Argentina. Early performances for the regions have been good and we intend to meet that expectation head on.

“We are looking for strong performances, although we also need to be realistic. We have huge respect for the high quality of opposition we are facing, but we intend to win. Everyone knows how tough it is to beat Australia and New Zealand, but we won’t be underestimating the Pacific Islands or Canadian teams. The Islanders will make a bit of history when they meet us in their first fixture in the northern hemisphere and they are a side packed with power and potential.

“As for Canada, they will be looking to make a statement ahead of our World Cup clash in Nantes. We can’t afford for them to leave feeling happy and confident. On a personal level, it will be the first time I have prepared a Wales team as head coach to play in front of home fans and I am very much looking forward to it.”
 
WALES SQUAD

BACKS
Lee BYRNE (OSPREYS)
Gareth COOPER (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS)
Gavin EVANS (LLANELLI SCARLETS)
Gavin HENSON (OSPREYS)
James HOOK (OSPREYS)
Mark JONES (LLANELLI SCARLETS)
Stephen JONES (LLANELLI SCARLETS, CAPTAIN)
Hal LUSCOMBE (NEC HARLEQUINS)
Kevin MORGAN (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS)
Dwayne PEEL (LLANELLI SCARLETS)
Michael PHILLIPS (CARDIFF BLUES)
Tom SHANKLIN (CARDIFF BLUES)
Ceri SWEENEY (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS)
Gareth THOMAS (TOULOUSE)
Shane WILLIAMS (OSPREYS)

FORWARDS
Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS)
Brent COCKBAIN (OSPREYS)
Ian EVANS (OSPREYS)
Ian GOUGH (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS)
Chris HORSMAN (WORCESTER WARRIORS)
Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES)
Adam (Rhys) JONES (OSPREYS)
Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS)
Duncan JONES (OSPREYS)
Ryan JONES (OSPREYS)
Alix POPHAM (LLANELLI SCARLETS)
Matthew REES (LLANELLI SCARLETS)
Robert SIDOLI (CARDIFF BLUES)
Gavin THOMAS (LLANELLI SCARLETS)
Jonathan THOMAS (OSPREYS)
(Thomas) Rhys THOMAS (CARDIFF BLUES)
Martyn WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES)