Ruddock fails to persuade Williams

Wales coach Mike Ruddock has unsuccessfully tried to talk former Lions hooker Barry Williams out of international retirement for his team’s autumn Test matches.

Williams has been one of Wales’ form players this season, leading the Neath Swansea Ospreys to some notable Celtic League victories.

He called time on his 24-cap Wales career earlier this year, but new national team boss Ruddock enquired about a possible change of heart.

“I recognised Barry’s form by making a phone call to him,” said Ruddock. “I asked him to reconsider his decision to retire from international rugby.

“He had been playing some excellent rugby this season and he gave it a lot of thought, but he came back to me and declined the opportunity to resurrect his international career.

“I’ve got to respect that decision. I am disappointed, because he has been the form hooker, there is no doubt about that, but he’s made his decision.”

Williams, 30, toured South Africa with the 1997 Lions and last played for Wales in April 2002 against Scotland.

The hooking position is a potential problem area for Ruddock ahead of November appointments with South Africa, New Zealand, Romania and Japan.

Llanelli Scarlets forward Robin McBryde is currently injured and Hugh Bennett, a colleague of Williams at the Ospreys, is also battling for full fitness.

Cardiff Blues forward Gareth Williams and Mefin Davies, currently playing club rugby with Neath, are the two hookers named in a 29-man training squad for the autumn games.

Newport Gwent Dragons lock Luke Charteris and Osprey’s back-row forward Ryan Jones are the only two uncapped players, although Ruddock is without several players through injury, including Mark Jones, Dafydd James and Jamie Robinson.

Ruddock expects to name his captain for the November series during the next few days after he has completed a series of detailed interviews between the candidates and team management.

Newcastle flanker Colin Charvis is the favourite to retain the post he held last season, although colleagues such as Gareth Thomas and Michael Owen also have strong claims.

“A captain for this squad and the season ahead will be announced later this week,” said Ruddock.

“In the meantime, a number of high-quality candidates will meet individually with the team management as part of a process to determine the captain and fully explore and understand the job.

“We are happy with the blend and experience, talent, skill and potential we have in this squad, and we are now looking for those players to step up to the mark and commit themselves to an exciting autumn international series.

“We have picked 29 players but there is a degree of flexibility that could allow one or two more to come into the squad in what is a fluid and on-going selection situation.”

Players not included will be determined to prove a point building up to the first Test on November 6 against South Africa, including Llanelli pair Matthew Watkins and Mike Phillips, together with Ospreys centre David Bishop.