Rugby - Wales squad:Wales have suffered an injury blow ahead of their Six Nations opener against England with scrum-half Dwayne Peel ruled out. Sale Sharks star Peel was due to undergo a scan today after suffering a groin injury in Saturday's Heineken Cup defeat against Cardiff Blues.
Peel has not been named in a 35-man Six Nations squad by Wales head coach Warren Gatland. With Peel’s fellow British and Irish Lion Mike Phillips also sidelined due to injury, Scarlets’ number nine Martin Roberts is favourite to start at Twickenham on February 6th.
Gatland has cast one eye to the future by naming young Ospreys Tom Prydie and Kristian Phillips in his squad, together with Saracens prop Rhys Gill and in-form Blues scrum-half Richie Rees.
But the rookies are backed up by the return of several key personnel, including Ospreys stars Lee Byrne and Adam Jones, while the experienced lock Ian Gough is alo back.
There are also places for Blues forwards Gareth Williams and Deiniol Jones, together with Sale prop Eifion Lewis-Roberts. Ryan Jones will continue as Wales captain for the Six Nations campaign.
“We are now at the beginning of our countdown to the World Cup and this slightly larger squad reflects that,” said Gatland. “We have brought in some youngsters to put some pressure on some of our senior players and to help increase the depth we have in certain positions.
“Kristian is a good example of an exciting young player, he has just won the Principality player of the month award and scored five tries in one match for Neath, he is skilful and very quick.
“Elsewhere we are very happy to welcome back the likes of Adam (Jones) and Lee (Byrne) who were both obviously missed in the Autumn, although at full-back in particular a certain James Hook provided more than ample cover.
“Our first match at Twickenham could set the tone for the Championship for both sides, we will both be desperate to win that first up match. We then come to the Millennium Stadium for two home matches and the support we have there will make a huge difference to us.”
Wales squad
Backs:D Biggar (Ospreys), A Bishop (Ospreys), L Byrne (Ospreys), G Cooper (Cardiff Blues), J Davies (Scarlets), L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Ospreys), T James (Cardiff Blues), S Jones (Scarlets), K Phillips (Ospreys), T Prydie (Ospreys), R Rees (Cardiff Blues), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), M Roberts (Scarlets), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Ospreys).
Forwards:H Bennett (Ospreys), L Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), R Gill (Saracens), I Gough (Ospreys), P James (Ospreys), G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), A Jones (Ospreys), AW Jones (Ospreys), D Jones (Cardiff Blues), R Jones (captain), E Lewis-Roberts (Sale) , D Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), A Powell (Cardiff Blues), M Rees (Scarlets), J Thomas (Ospreys), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues), G Williams (Cardiff Blues), M Williams (Cardiff Blues).