Rugby World Cup 2007: Wales Squad

Wales has recently declared their 30 men squad for Rugby World Cup 2007. The tournament will held in France. Wales will play in Pool B accompanying with mighty Australia, Canada, Fiji and Japan. Wales coach Gareth Jenkins declared the squad dominated by experienced players. Including captain Gareth Thomas 19 players have also appeared in the last Rugby World Cup in 2003. Gareth Thomas is now 33 years old and he is the most capped player for Wales in international Rugby with 95 matches for Wales. This will be the fourth world cup for this senior Wales player.

Some of the veteran members of the team are Stephen Jones, Michael Owen, Alun-Wyn Jones, Jonathan Thomas and Dwayne Peel the other members. Senior player Stephen Jones was in the run of being captain of the team in the world cup but his injury made the way easier for Gareth Jenkins to be the captain of the team. However, it is expected that Jones will come back in the side before the first match. Wales will face Canada in their opening match on 9 September. 12 players of the squad have the experience of playing over 40 matches for Wales.

Wales has recorded their best ever Rugby World Cup performance in 1987 Rugby world cup as they finished third in that tournament. So, this time they will try to show some memorable performance with their experienced players.

The names of the squad members are given from the official website of rugby world cup below:

Forwards(16): Michael Owen, Martyn Williams, Colin Charvis, Alix Popham, Jonathan Thomas, Ian Evans, Will James, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ian Gough, Chris Horsman, Adam Jones, Matthew Rees, T Rhys Thomas, Huw Bennett, Gethin Jenkins, Duncan Jones.

Backs (14): Gareth Thomas (Captain), Kevin Morgan, Shane Williams, Dafydd James, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Robinson, Sonny Parker, Mark Jones, Stephen Jones, James Hook, Ceri Sweeney, Dwayne Peel, Mike Phillips, Gareth Cooper.