Yapp called up to Welsh squad

BLUE prop John Yapp is the only uncapped player in Wales’ 31-man squad for the forthcoming RBS Six Nations.

The 21-year-old, 6ft 2in loose-head replaces the Ospreys’ Duncan Jones, out until March with a broken thumb. Lock Ian Gough is back after impressing for the Dragons and hooker Robin McBryde returns after a neck injury.

A place is left for prop Iestyn Thomas who has a neck problem, whilst flanker Colin Charvis is expected to shake off an ankle injury to face England. Ospreys loose-head prop Paul James will also join up with the squad next week.

Charvis has met Wales physio Mark Davies to determine the extent of the damage he did to the ankle whilst playing in Newcastle’s Heineken Cup win over the Dragons last Sunday.

Wales coach Mike Ruddock said he believes the 75-capped flanker will recover in time for the 5 February opener provided he is given sufficient rest. “He’s struggling to be fit for training next week and he shouldn’t play a game for Newcastle a week before the Test against England,” Ruddock said.

“He should be fine for the England match if that sort of right treatment is provided.”

Wales’ Six Nations squad: Backs: G Thomas (Toulouse, capt), K Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Williams (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), H Luscombe (Newport Gwent Dragons), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), S Parker (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), G Henson (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), C Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons), Stephen Jones (Clermont Auvergne), D Peel (Llanelli Scarlets), G Cooper (Newport Gwent Dragons), M Phillips (Llanelli Scarlets).

Forwards: A Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), A N Other, J Yapp (Cardiff Blues), M Davies (Gloucester), R McBryde (Llanelli Scarlets), Steve Jones (Newport Gwent Dragons), B Cockbain (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), G Llewellyn (Narbonne), R Sidoli (Cardiff Blues), L Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), I Gough (Newport Gwent Dragons), D Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), J Thomas (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), C Charvis (Newcastle), M Williams (Cardiff Blues), M Owen (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys).