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Page 1 of 2 Once again former Ponty stars form the backbone of the national team...
From BBC News. Gareth Delve and Mark Jones have been named in Wales' 30-man squad for this year's Six Nations. The Bath number eight and Llanelli Scarlets wing have each overcome a series of career threatening injuries to hit top form with their clubs. Coach Mike Ruddock has also called up Scarlets' uncapped full-back Barry Davies and hooker Matthew Rees. Gavin Henson and Ian Evans have been left out, but will be added if they can prove their fitness after suspension. The Ospreys pair are unavailable for the opening two games against England on 4 February and against Scotland eight days later. "There is every chance Ian (Evans) will be added to the squad once he has served his suspension. "I've only named three out and out locks at the moment with the added option of Michael Owen as cover in that department. "Having invested heavily in Ian in the autumn and seeing him play so well for his region against Leicester in particular, we are keen to get him back on board as soon as possible. "Gavin (Henson) has played less rugby and he needs to prove himself in his potential outing for the Ospreys on 17 February, but the door is certainly open for him to also make a return." Centre Mark Taylor has also been omitted because his club side Sale have first call on his services. Ruddock has seen his Grand Slam-winning squad ravaged by injury, losing Chris Horsman, Kevin Morgan, Brent Cockbain, Luke Charteris, Ryan Jones and Tom Shanklin, while centre Sonny Parker announced his international retirement on Monday evening. But Gethin Jenkins, Dafydd Jones and Hal Luscombe return after missing the autumn internationals. Gareth Thomas, Rhys Thomas and Stephen Jones are also fit after recent injury scares. Cardiff-born Delve, 23, has been in outstanding form for Bath after fighting back from an appalling series of injuries that meant he had only started three games in his five years at the club before this season. "It is the first chance I've had to be able to pick Gareth Delve," Ruddock continued. "But he is catching the eye at the moment and it is nice to be able to call on someone of his quality." Wing Mark Jones, who has 16 caps, missed two years with two horrendous knee injuries. The 26-year-old Builth Wells man snapped his left cruciate ligament in autumn 2003, shortly after returning from the World Cup where he won his last Wales cap in the quarter-final defeat to England. Wales squad for 2006 RBS Six Nations: Backs: Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Newport Gwent Dragons), Michael Phillips (Cardiff Blues), Stephen Jones (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Nicky Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys), Mark Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Dafydd James (Llanelli Scarlets), Lee Byrne (Llanelli Scarlets), Ceri Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons), Hal Luscombe (Newport Gwent Dragons), Matthew Watkins (Llanelli Scarlets), Barry Davies (Llanelli Scarlets), Gareth Thomas (Toulouse, captain). Forwards: Duncan Jones (Ospreys), John Yapp (Cardiff Blues), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Mefin Davies (Gloucester Rugby), Rhys Thomas (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), Ian Gough (Newport Gwent Dragons), Robert Sidoli (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Michael Owen (Newport Gwent Dragons), Gareth Delve (Bath Rugby), Dafydd Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Alix Popham (Llanelli Scarlets), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), Colin Charvis (Newcastle Falcons).
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