Welsh coach Warren Gatland names his 30-member squad for Rugby World Cup 2011 - Rugby News
Warren Gatland, the head coach of Wales, has revealed his final crew for Rugby World Cup 2011. The coach listed the players for the world showpiece on August 22nd and took a surprise decision by making Sam Warburton the skipper for the side.
Warburton has now become the youngest captain for Wales at the age of 22. He will replace Mathew Rees who was ruled out RWC 2011 after a devastating injury to his neck and shoulder. The Welsh coach declared the squad balanced under the given circumstances.
Submitting his crew for the forthcoming global event, Gatland said that, “You can only pick 30. If we had gone for a 17-13 split, we would have taken two sevens. In such a tough group, there won't potentially be huge changes game to game, but we do have
quality players we can call in. We don't often carry a specialist seven on the bench.”
Gatland further said that selecting limited players is always a difficult task and furthermore unfortunate injuries were also major problem in this regard. The coach has made at least three big decisions regarding the selection of his squad. He has dropped
the most experienced player of his team, Martyn Williams, who has represented his national side in 99 tests. The second astonishing decision was that off appointing 22-year-old Warburton as skipper and last the inclusion of uncapped Ken Owens in such a big
event.
The newly appointed skipper also talked to the media and said that it will be a privilege for him to lead his side during RWC 2011. He added that, “To be a World Cup captain is one of the biggest achievements a rugby player could achieve. It's my first World
Cup, so it will be new to me. I imagine it will be the same as other Test matches, just a bit more intense.”
Warburton made his debut with Wales in 2009 and has played just 22 matches before becoming the captain of the side.
Wales’ squad for RWC 2011:
Forwards: Gethin Jenkins, Lloyd Burns, Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Adam Jones, Paul James, Ken Owens, Craig Mitchell, Bradley Davies, Sam Warburton, Luke Charteris, Danny Lydiate, Toby Faletau, Ryan Jones, Alun-Wyn Jones, Andy Powell.
Backs: Michael Phillips, Lloyd Williams, Tavis Knoyle, Jamie Roberts, James Hook, Jonathan Davies, Stephen Jones, Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams, Leigh Halfpenny, Lee Byrne, Aled Brew, Shane Williams, George North.
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