Wales name nine new caps in World Cup training squad
Monday 1 June 2015 12:22, UK
Wales have included nine uncapped players in their 47-man training squad for the Rugby World Cup.
Sam Warburton has again been named as captain, while U20 captain Rory Thornton is one of nine new names on the squad sheet.
It has been officially confirmed that George North, who has not played since March 27 due to a concussion, is in the group.
The players will embark on an intensive preparation regime over the coming months before the final 31-man squad is announced on August 31.
All 12 players on national dual contracts are named in the extended squad, which is made up of 25 forwards and 22 backs.
"As a coaching team, we are extremely happy with the blend of the squad in terms of the experience we are able to include as well as the young talent that has really impressed us," said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.
"The easy part for the players has been done in terms of being selected, the hard work will begin from day one with a huge schedule of preparation ahead of them.
"The players will face a tough couple of months of intensive training, we will be taking them to Switzerland, Qatar and Poland and I can assure everyone they are no holiday camps.
"We put a lot of emphasis on conditioning and preparation in 2011 which worked well for us and we are looking to step that up again this time.
"The 47 players all have the opportunity to make that 31-man party and I'm sure they will all be eager to feature in a World Cup on these shores.
"We believe the longer we are together the better we perform and this summer of preparation will give us every opportunity to be at our best come Rugby World Cup."
The squad will begin to meet up for initial conditioning training at the WRU National Centre of Excellence from June 15.
Wales World Cup training squad:
Forwards (25): Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester Rugby), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dominic Day (Bath Rugby), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (CAPT - Cardiff Blues).
Backs (22): Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), James Hook (Gloucester Rugby), Matthew Morgan (Bristol Rugby), Rhys Patchell (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jack Dixon (Newport Gwent Dragons), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Tom James (Exeter Chiefs), George North (Northampton Saints), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
