32 year-old Mefin Davies has been selected at hooker for Wales in their massive Six Nations opener against England and his Gloucester colleagues Andy Hazell, Phil Vickery and James Forrester.
Davies starts for Wales ahead of Robin McBryde, who has recently returned from injury. He starts alongside props Adam Jones and Gethin Jenkins.
Gloucester Academy star Olly Morgan is in contention for the full-back slot for England U21s against Wales in Newport on Friday night.
The 19 year-old has already represented England U19s. He was set for a full 80 minutes against Saracens in the Zurich 'A' League last week, but the game was postponed, but he went on to play for Bracknell in the national leagues last weekend.
WALES Vs ENGLAND
Millennium Stadium, Saturday 5th February, Kick-off: 5.30 pm
Wales: G Thomas (Toulouse (capt); H Luscombe (Dragons), T Shanklin (Blues), G Henson (Ospreys), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Clermont Auvergne), D Peel (Scarlets); G Jenkins (Blues), M Davies (Gloucester), A Jones (Ospreys), B Cockbain (Ospreys), R Sidoli (Blues), D Jones (Scarlets), M Williams (Blues), M Owen (Dragons).
Replacements: R McBryde (Scarlets), J Yapp (Blues), J Thomas (Ospreys), R Jones (Ospreys), G Cooper (Dragons), C Sweeney (Dragons), K Morgan (Dragons).
England U21 squad to play Wales U21, Friday 4th February
FORWARDS
Richard Blaze - Worcester*
Neil Briggs - Rotherham
Sean Cox - Sale Sharks
Chris Cracknell - NEC Harlequins
Aston Croall - Saracens
Michael Cusack - Leeds Tykes
Chris Goodman - Bath*
Martin Halsall - Sale Sharks
Matt Hampson - Leicester Tigers
James Haskell - London Wasps*
Tom Rees - London Wasps
Dan Smith - Bath
David Ward - Bath
BACKS
Joe Bedford - Saracens*
Ross Broadfoot - Leicester Tigers
Matt Cornwell - Leicester Tigers
Ryan Davis - Bath*
Ben Foden - Sale Sharks
Olly Morgan - Gloucester*
Tom Varndell - Leicester Tigers*
James Wellwood - London Wasps
Simon Whatling - Worcester
* Intermediate National Academy squad member
England U21 Six Nations fixtures
England U21 v Wales U21, Friday 4th February, Newport 7.05pm
England U21s v France U21, Friday 11th February, Northampton Saints 7.30pm
England U21s v Ireland U21, Friday 25th February, Donnybrook 7.30pm
England U21s v Italy U21, Friday 11th March, Northampton Saints 7.30pm
England U21s v Scotland U21, Friday 18th March, Northampton Saints 7.30pm
 |
 |
