Young flyer to make Welsh history
Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:03
Making history: Tom Prydie is Wales' youngest ever player
Teenage wing Tom Prydie is set to become Wales's youngest-ever international after his shock inclusion in the starting side for this Saturday's Six Nations clash at home to Italy.
Prydie, at 18 years and 27 days, will break the 122-year-old record of fellow wing Norman Biggs who was capped by Wales as a Cardiff player aged 18 years and 50 days back in 1888.
"Tom has been with us for the duration of the campaign, he was one of two youngsters brought in - alongside Kristian Phillips - who we wanted to have a look at and we've been impressed with him," said Wales coach Warren Gatland after naming his side.
Ospreys wing Prydie replaces Cardiff's Leigh Halfpenny in one of five changes to the side beaten 27-12 by Ireland in Dublin last weekend, a defeat that has left Wales with little more than pride to play for against Italy in their final fixture of this season's Six Nations.
"We are not sure if Leigh Halfpenny is going to be able to tour this summer (he may need an operation) and we also need to look at our options for the future and find someone to push the incumbents for the [2011] World Cup," Gatland explained.
"This is a great opportunity for Tom," the New Zealander added. "He is the fastest player in the squad, he can play at full-back as well as on the wing and he is not afraid to tackle so we'll see how he goes."
Gatland has recalled three fit-again British and Irish Lions in scrum-half Mike Phillips, prop Gethin Jenkins and captain Ryan Jones, who replaces Gloucester's Gareth Delve at No 8.
There is also a first Six Nations start for 21-year-old Cardiff openside flanker Sam Warburton, in for 95-times capped back-row Martyn Williams - Wales's stand-in skipper in Dublin.
Veteran Williams and scrumhalf Richie Rees, who has been replaced by Phillips, were both omitted from Gatland's 22 entirely, with neither man winning a place on the bench for the Millennium Stadium match.
But fullback Lee Byrne kept his place despite a yellow card in Dublin that helped Ireland scored two tries while Wales were a man down in his absence.
Jenkins's return allows Wales to field their all-Lions front-row for the first time since the 2009 Test series against South Africa, while Ospreys scrum-half Phillips makes his first Wales start since featuring for the Lions against the Springboks last year.
Wales have lost three of their four Six Nations matches so far this season, conceding substantial early leads in every fixture.
Another defeat this weekend could, combined with other results, see them finish bottom of the table.
"We are under no illusion that Italy will be a tough prospect on Saturday," Gatland said.
"They have performed well in each game of the tournament so far and with a good win over Scotland under their belts we will be a target for them.
"We are all very disappointed and we need to demonstrate our passion and pride in the Welsh jersey on Saturday and show everyone what it means to us to play for our country."
Wales coach Warren Gatland has recalled three fit-again British and Irish Lions in scrum-half Mike Phillips, prop Gethin Jenkins and captain Ryan Jones, who replaces Gloucester's Gareth Delve at No 8.
There is also a first Six Nations start for 21-year-old Cardiff openside flanker Sam Warburton, in for 95-times capped back-row Martyn Williams - Wales's stand-in skipper in Dublin.
Veteran Williams and scrumhalf Richie Rees, who has been replaced by Phillips, were both omitted from Gatland's 22 entirely, with neither man winning a place on the bench for the Millennium Stadium match.
Team:
Wales: 15 Lee Byrne; 14 Tom Prydie, 13 James Hook, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Shane Williams; 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Mike Phillips; 8 Ryan Jones (captain), 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Jonathan Thomas;
5 Luke Charteris, 4 Bradley Davies; 3 Adam Jones, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Gethin Jenkins
Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Paul James, 18 Ian Gough, 19 Gareth Delve, 20 Dwayne Peel, 21 Andrew Bishop, 22 Tom Shanklin
Date: Saturday, March 20
Venue: Millenium Stadium
Kick-off: 14.30
Referee: Wayne Barne
AFP
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