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LONDON - Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins threw down the gauntlet to his players after selecting a 28-man squad yesterday for next month's tour to Australia.
Jenkins said the challenging trip would provide the perfect chance for fringe players to stake a claim for a place in his 30-man squad for the Rugby World Cup which starts in September.
Many of the starting 15 for the 2007 Six Nations were not included, although Gareth Thomas was selected as captain of what Jenkins called a "highly competitive" touring party.
Jenkins said 18 other players would remain at home for an intensive summer training programme.
After the Australia tour Jenkins will cut his preparation squad down to 38 or 40 before deciding on his final 30 for the World Cup.
"Ultimately we will be picking the group of 30 players that we believe will give us the best chance of winning the Rugby World Cup," Jenkins said in a WRU statement.
"If you're playing well then you are never too old and never too young. Selection will be about the here and now and so those players in possession of the shirts on tour to Australia have every chance of holding on to them.
"There are some players who have not had the opportunity to show us their talents. We finished the Six Nations strongly and were able to maintain consistency of selection during that campaign, but we also have an open mind and this tour will help us gain clarity of thought certain areas of selection."
Gavin Henson was included in the squad despite having his season wrecked by a knee injury, while youngsters like James Hook, Jamie Robinson, Aled Brew and Michael Phillips will get the chance to impress.
"I was shocked but delighted to get the call but I'm determined to give 100 per cent on the tour," Ospreys centre Henson said. "I've been out for five months but I've been working hard on my rehab."
Wales face Australia in Sydney on May 26 and in Brisbane on June 2.
Squad:
Backs: Lee Byrne, Chris Czekaj, Hal Luscombe, Dafydd James, Jamie Robinson, Gareth Thomas (captain), Gavin Henson, Aled Brew, Ceri Sweeney, James Hook, Gareth Cooper, Mike Phillips, Andy Williams.
Forwards: Iestyn Thomas, Ceri Jones, Rhys Thomas, Adam Jones, Huw Bennett, Richard Hibbard, Mefin Davies, Brent Cockbain, Rob Sidoli, Scott Morgan, Jonathan Thomas, Gavin Thomas, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Colin Charvis, Michael Owen.
- REUTERS
