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31st Aug 2015

Few surprises as Wales announce World Cup squad

Kevin Beirne

Teams are finalising their squads ahead of the Rugby World Cup, with Wales the latest to announce their squad.

The biggest surprise is that Wales coach Warren Gatland has followed the lead of Michael Cheika’s Australia by only bringing two hookers in his squad. Richard Hibbard – who started for the British and Irish Lions against Australia in 2013 – was already left out of the squad in the earlier cuts.

Meanwhile, tight-head prop Samson Lee has been cleared to join the squad despite doubts about his recovery from the injury he suffered in his side’s victory over Ireland in the Six Nations back in March.

Wales v Ireland - RBS Six Nations

Matthew Morgan is the third outhalf in the squad after New Zealand-born Gareth Anscombe suffered an injury in training during the week.

Wales are in Pool A, alongside hosts England and Rugby Championship winners Australia as well as Fiji and Uruguay. They open the tournament against Uruguay on September 20.

The squad in full is as follows:

Props: Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Samson Lee (Scarlets).
Hookers: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets).
Locks: Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Dominic Day (Bath), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys).
Back-rows: Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, captain).
Scrum-halves: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues).
Fly-halves: Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Matthew Morgan (Bristol), Rhys Priestland (Bath).
Centres: Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Scott Williams (Scarlets).
Wings: Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints).
Full-backs: Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Liam Williams (Scarlets).