Jenkins names two new caps

Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has picked two uncapped players from his young touring squad to start the first Test against Argentina in Puerto Madryn on Sunday.

Ospreys pair Ian Evans and Alun Wyn Jones will make debut appearances in the first team selection of Jenkins’ reign as Wales head coach.

On the bench a further three players could win their first caps for Wales if called upon during the game, with Ospreys fly-half James Hook and hooker Richard Hibbard joining Newport Gwent Dragons prop Rhys Thomas in bids to make an appearance.

Cardiff centre Jamie Robinson wins his 14th cap, after spending three seasons in the international wilderness through injury, while Llanelli hooker Matthew Rees makes only his second appearance for his country.

Robinson will play alongside his brother Nicky for only the second time at this level – the first being against Ireland in Dublin in 2003 – and the duo are joined in the back line by Lee Byrne, Mark Jones, Shane Williams and Mike Phillips.

Evans makes his debut partnering the tam’s most senior player, 30-year-old Ian Gough in the second row, with his regional colleague Jones joining a back row consisting of Llanelli pair Gavin Thomas and Alix Popham.

Ospreys prop Adam Jones joins Rees and his captain with club and country - Duncan Jones – in the front row.

Jenkins explained: “We’ve brought a young squad to Argentina and remained faithful to that selection policy by picking a young team with an average of just 16 caps each and just one player in Shane Williams who has made over 30 appearances.

“We’re proud to be able to give the honour of a first Wales cap to Ian and Alun who have been picked on merit and – we believe – will do a job for us on Sunday.

“A mention should also go to James Hook, Richard Hibbard and Rhys Thomas who have impressed us all and will undoubtedly meet the challenge of international rugby if called upon.”

Wales have beaten Argentina on six occasions and lost twice, but the historical significance of the first Test match to be played in Welsh-speaking Puerto Manderin carries the most weight in Jenkins’ eyes.

He continued: “The experiences we have had already in Patagonia have been eye opening and we have been quite literally made to feel right at home here.

“The occasion on Sunday will be historic, but we know we must focus on the task in hand and be at the very top of our game if we are to stand a chance of beating the Pumas.”

On his first selection as Wales coach, Jenkins said: “There are always players who give you a few headaches come selection time and this team selection was no different.

“We have a talented group here and everyone of them would give their all for their country, but the key decisions were in the forwards.

“We’ve gone for Matthew at hooker in order to have a good look at him in this environment and have told Huw (Bennett) that he will be involved for Test two.

“Ian Gough as a senior player in the squad will be important against a tough and physical Argentina and he boosts our lineout options, as does the selection of Ian Evans and – significantly – Alun Wyn in the back row.

“Alun has played at flanker before and has been performing well for us there in training all week, but, importantly, he is a top class lineout forward who has been setting the Welsh premiership alight this season.

“We are approaching Sunday in a positive frame of mind, with a young, determined side who realise that they have a major opportunity to achieve something special on an historic day for Welsh rugby.”

Ian Evans will be the 1,040th player to feature for Wales, Alun Wyn Jones will be the 1,041st.