Injuries pile up for Wales

New Wales coach Mike Ruddock will be without several top players for next month’s tour to Argentina and South Africa.

Llanelli Scarlets fly-half Stephen Jones is the latest big name who will not be considered when Ruddock names his tour squad next Monday.

The casualty count reads something like a current who’s who of Welsh rugby.

Jones, who recently agreed a two-year deal with French club Montferrand, will rest a back injury, while other absentees include scrum-half Gareth Cooper and hooker Robin McBryde (shoulder surgery), centres Iestyn Harris and Mark Taylor (knee injuries) and lock Robert Sidoli (groin surgery).

Jamie Robinson, Matthew Watkins and Ryan Powell are also ruled out, together with long-term injured trio Kevin Morgan, Mark Jones and Gareth Williams.

Ruddock though, will get on with the job as he prepares his players for two Tests with the Pumas on June 12 and 19, followed by a Pretoria appointment against South Africa.

“While it is never good to have players out of contention through injury, this will give us an opportunity to look at different individuals and different combinations,” said Ruddock.

“We need strength in depth in the squad, and we have an opportunity to build on that this summer.

“This should make us stronger for next year’s RBS 6 Nations Championship, and it will be invaluable to our preparations for Rugby World Cup 2007.

“There will inevitably be some new faces in the squad, although I’ve always said the group of players I inherited from Steve Hansen was of the right standard and I have no thought of making wholesale changes.

“Those players that miss the tour will be put on full and tough fitness programmes, and will benefit hugely from being able to put in a full pre-season once the injuries have been sorted out,” he added.

A decision, meanwhile, will be taken in the next couple of days on Cardiff Blues back Tom Shanklin, who has a knee injury.

“This all means that we have between 12 and 13 internationals ruled out, which is more than we have had in the past,” said Wales team physio Mark Davies.

“This was a World Cup year, and it has therefore been packed with activity for players. There has been no window of opportunity for players carrying injuries to fully recuperate.

“As a result, we have a number of players who need to be attended to in order to ensure they get a proper pre-season under their belts.

“The plan is that everyone will recover well, and we will have a full list to choose from for the November internationals and to take into next season’s Six Nations.”