Blog Banner

Four Blues Make Wales Starting XV

9th November 2005


Wales coach Mike Ruddock has made 11 changes – five due to absentees – for Fiji’s visit to the Millennium Stadium on Friday (Kick-off 7.30pm).

In to the starting team are Blues players Rhys Thomas, Nick Robinson, Martyn Williams and John Yapp.

Robert Sidoli and Mike Phillips drop to the bench alongside Robin Sowden Taylor. All of whom will be hoping to get a run out.

Ruddock said,

“We have stuck to our selection policy utilising our whole squad and rotating certain members, there is now a real opportunity for those players facing Fiji on Friday to put their hands in the air and force us to pick them for the rest of the Invesco Perpetual Series.

“We lost our last game, so the new faces in the starting line up have a chance to push for selection for the next two games by performing well on the day.”

Wales: Lee Byrne (Scarlets); Kevin Morgan (Dragons), Matthew Watkins (Scarlets), Sonny Parker (Ospreys), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Nick Robinson (Blues), Gareth Cooper (Dragons); John Yapp (Blues), Rhys Thomas (Blues), Chris Horsman (Worcester), Brent Cockbain (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Dragons), Dafydd Jones (Scarlets), Martyn Williams (Blues), Michael Owen (Dragons, capt).

Replacements: Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Robert Sidoli (Blues), Alix Popham (Scarlets), Robin Sowden-Taylor (Blues), Mike Phillips (Blues), Ceri Sweeney (Dragons).

Blues Player International Stats (supplied by www.wru.co.uk)

Nicky ROBINSON (BLUES)
Outside Half
International record: 8 caps
(W 4, L 4; 10 pts - 2T)

01 John YAPP (BLUES)
Loose Head Prop
International record: 6 caps (W 6)

02 Rhys THOMAS (BLUES)
Hooker
International record: 3 caps (W 2, L 1)

07 Martyn WILLIAMS (BLUES)
Flanker
International record: 54 caps
(W 24, L 29, D 1; 38 pts - 7T, 1DG)

18 Rob SIDOLI (BLUES)
Lock
International record: 27 caps
(W 12, L 15; 5 pts - 1T)

20 Robin SOWDEN-TAYLOR (BLUES)
Back Row
International record: 3 caps (W 2, L 1)

21 Michael PHILLIPS (BLUES)
Scrum Half
International record: 7 caps
(W 5, L 2; 10 pts - 2T)