Door is open for players, insists Davies

CARETAKER coach Nigel Davies insists the door should not be closed on any player as Wales attempt to bounce back from their World Cup woes.

With Warren Gatland poised to take over the side next month, Davies says he has kept an “open mind” in selecting his squad for the forthcoming one-off Test with South Africa.

Davies yesterday named a 31-man preliminary party which will be reduced to 24 next week ahead of the Millennium Stadium clash on November 24.

Centre Gavin Henson is one of seven players who did not travel to the World Cup to be included while Gareth Thomas, the captain in France, and Will James are left out.

Chris Horsman, Kevin Morgan and Dafydd James are out injured and Martyn Williams is also off the list having retired.

Davies will now watch this weekend’s round of Heineken Cup matches with interest and says the entire party is on trial as he looks to reduce numbers.

Davies said: “The key thing to come out of this announcement is that players should realise that one big performance this weekend could easily play them into the side to face the world champions in front of a big crowd the following Saturday.

“We have a good idea of where we want to go with the team selection, but we are maintaining an open mind whilst we assess form once again in the Heineken Cup.

“This announcement is designed to let the players know they are in with a chance and we will be looking for them to react positively by stepping up to the mark and giving themselves and their regions a real boost in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the Heineken Cup.”

Ospreys back Henson was one of the stars of the 2005 Grand Slam campaign but missed out on the World Cup after failing to rediscover his best following injury.

The 25-year-old also had a much-publicised falling out with a number of his team-mates over comments he wrote in a book.

Davies said: “Gavin Henson is one of the players who is in the category of needing a big game this weekend to convince us he is ready to return to the international arena.

“He has been showing encouraging signs for the Ospreys, and it will be a tough test for him at Gloucester playing against Mike Tindall and Anthony Allen.”

Davies believes the squad contains a good blend of youth and experience and says Thomas was understanding of the reasons for leaving him out.

Davies added: “I’ve spoken to Gareth Thomas about our selection policy. Although he hasn’t ruled himself out of the international reckoning, he has stated publicly that it is perhaps time for younger players to come through and make an impact.”