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11:59

WalesOnline - Welcome to WalesOnline’s live Wales squad announcement.

Simon Roberts will be online shortly to host today’s live debate.

Here is the squad and the headline stories:

12:00

WalesOnline - Wales squad to tour North America:
Duncan JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 997), Craig MITCHELL (OSPREYS), Richard HIBBARD (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,048), Gareth WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES), John YAPP (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,031), Eifion LEWIS-ROBERTS (SALE SHARKS – Cap No 1,064), Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065), Ian GOUGH (OSPREYS – Cap No 964), Deiniol JONES (CARDIFF BLUES), Luke CHARTERIS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,030), Dafydd JONES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,008), Robin SOWDEN-TAYLOR (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,032), Ryan JONES (OSPREYS, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,029), Lewis EVANS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS), Rob McCUSKER (SCARLETS), Josh TURNBULL (SCARLETS), Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES), Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS), Dwayne PEEL (SALE SHARKS – Cap No 994), Gareth COOPER (GLOUCESTER RUGBY – Cap No 985), Dan BIGGAR (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,063), Nicky ROBINSON (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,016), BISHOP (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,059), James HOOK (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,047), Jonathan SPRATT (OSPREYS), Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS), Mark JONES (SCARLETS – Cap No 984), Richard MUSTOE (CARDIFF BLUES), Tom JAMES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,055), Chris CZEKAJ (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,038), Gareth OWEN (OSPREYS), Jason TOVEY (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS

12:00

WalesOnline - Ryan Jones will captain Robin McBryde’s Wales team to tour Canada and USA this summer and leads a squad which could include up to seven uncapped players.
Wales caretaker coach McBryde has today named a squad of 32, but those selected from the Scarlets or the Dragons could miss out on the tour – although remaining behind on standby - allowing them to play for whichever region is involved in the Heineken Cup qualification play-off match, scheduled for the same day as the first Test on tour against Canada.
The Ospreys region supply three players making senior squad debuts in prop Craig Mitchell, centre Jonathan Spratt and full-back Gareth Owen – with all three having figured in the Principality Premiership this season for Neath as well as the Ospreys. Richard Hibbard, Duncan Jones and Dan Biggar all return to the fold, with stalwarts Ian Gough, James Hook and Andrew Bishop all retained.
Nicky Robinson returns to international duty for the first time since the 2007 summer tour to Argentina and he will be welcomed back alongside another long term absentee in wing Chris Czekaj, who was last capped on tour against Australia in 2008 before suffering long term injury.
The Blues also supply wing Richard Mustoe and back row Sam Warburton, both in with a chance of winning their first international caps on tour. Also called up from the region are hooker Gareth Williams and locks Deiniol Jones and Bradley Davies with John Yapp keeping his front row spot.
The Scarlets have three players who could also make debuts in back rows Rob McCusker and Josh Turnbull and centre Jon Davies, whilst Mark Jones and Dafydd Jones are also retained
The Dragons will fight it out with the Scarlets to avoid the Heineken Cup play-off spot and if they can achieve that aim Luke Charteris will join the uncapped trio of back rowers Dan Lydiate and Lewis Evans and full-back Jason Tovey on tour.
“We have a duty to continue with the professionalism, dedication and ruthlessness this Wales squad has shown over the past two seasons on this tour,” said McBryde.
“We have approached the task of selecting the right blend of youth and experience with great pride and with one eye on the future, but a clear focus on the task ahead.
“We are playing two tests where the opposition will be gunning for us in their own back yard and we have to show the respect we have for this Wales jersey and put in two performances to make the nation proud.
“There is also a real opportunity here for some players to show us what they can do in this environment with youngsters who have shown form at Wales’ under 21 level and players who have lit up the Principality Premiership as well as at regional level.
“But we also have the Wales captain on tour with us, some exciting talent and a wealth of experience in our back line and a number of players coming back to the international scene with something to prove and, we believe, something important to offer to the future.”

12:02

[Comment From osprey]
So Ryan's captain! Simon, do you know what the repurcussions have been of his Lions omission. Has he spoken to Gatland yet?

12:03

Simon Roberts -
Have no idea. I am sure we will find out later today. Should Ryan be captain?

12:04

[Comment From Dave]
Who should we look out for from the youngsters Simon? there's a few I've never heard of

12:04

[Comment From gochdraig]
I hope the youngsters are there for game experience and not just to make up the numbers. Puttung out a full team of regular first teamers against USA or Canada seems a bit pointless. Its an ideal oppertunity to bring a bit of depth to the squad.

12:05

Simon Roberts - Sam Warburton, the Blues flanker, has already been earmarked as Martyn Williams natural heir. A fantastic prospect.

12:05

[Comment From Andrew]
Are my eyes deceiving me or has Gareth Delve been left out!!! I can't believe that!

12:05

[Comment From Nobby]
No Delve ?

12:05

Simon Roberts - Strange decision. Delve should be there.

12:05

[Comment From rob]
what has Chris Czekaj done to get in the squad, no fussell..

12:05

[Comment From Guest]
why is czekaj in not that good now

12:06

[Comment From Mark Davies]
Like the make up of the squad. We need to blood our youngters we have a trip to NZ next year which will be really tough. Is Gareth Delve injured, cant see his name there.

12:06

[Comment From Nobby]
Or Jones from Harlequins

12:06

Simon Roberts - Czekay was quite impressive for the Blues at full-back and is a big unit. He has done a remarkable job to return to action after such a harrowing injury.

12:06

[Comment From kez]
Chuffed for Jason Tovey

12:07

[Comment From clarkey]
nice 1 kez..keep 1 eye on jason tovey..... cant believe fussell not involved..??

12:07

[Comment From David Ingles]
i'm not suggesting that czekaj is a bad player but Fussell is better

12:08

Simon Roberts - Surprised Ceri Jones isn't there but perhaps he has paid the price by playing in England! That ridiculous WRU edict could be behind the decision but then Nickt Robinson and Dwayne Peel have been named in the squad.

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