‘WALES TEAM BUY AS VIEW MEDICAL REPORT’, ISSUE 4

Centre Sonny Parker will miss the game with a wrist injury and, though second row Luke Charteris is back in light training, he has been ruled out from a return against the Cherry and Whites with a toe injury.

Parker’s fellow centre Gavin Henson had an ex-ray on his hand on Sunday which revealed no broken bones and he is currently in light training with a fitness test tomorrow set to assess his chances of playing.

Centre Mark Taylor is extremely doubtful as he is suffering from chicken pox, his fitness will be assessed later this week.

No8. Ryan Jones picked up a calf strain against New Zealand, but he is anxious to prove his fitness before the weekend.

Wing Hal Luscombe has returned from a knee injury and is available for selection.

“The departure of Gareth Thomas, Stephen Jones and Gareth Llewellyn back to their clubs in France has given us the opportunity to review the squad,” said Ruddock.

“Gareth’s return to France has created a need for us to look at the full-back position in particular.

“In addition to Kevin officially joining the squad, Matthew Jones (Ospreys, fly-half) and Michael Phillips (Scarlets, scrum-half) have been invited to train with us as part of the ongoing process of exposing players to intensity of the Welsh sessions.

“With our captain back with his club in France it is likely that, subject to selection, our vice-captain Colin Charvis will assume his leadership role on the pitch.

“This is a hugely significant match for us, its our last before we play England in the RBS Six Nations to open our campaign.

“The players are aware that a good performance on Friday will help their cause in terms of selection for the Six Nations squad.

“We cannot afford to drop our standards after all the hard work that has gone in over the last few weeks and we are determined to always give of our best whenever we wear the Welsh jersey.

“The players who are selected to represent Wales on Friday will be reminded of their responsibilities to play rugby the Welsh way, with tempo, width and flair.”