2006 6-N Squads!

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

1. WALES

Wales boss Mike Ruddock has included Llanelli winger Mark Jones in his squad for the RBS 6 Nations.

Jones has been impressive form for the Scarlets since overcoming the second of two knee reconstructions with recent performances in the European Cup confirming catching the selectors' eye.

Ruddock said: "It's great to see Mark Jones in the squad after two very serious knee operations.

"He is a recognised finisher, try-scorer and line-breaker and you have to be impressed by his determination to get himself back on the field after such serious injuries.

"We also have the Scarlets to thank for the role they have played in supporting Mark's return to fitness and form.''

Jones joins Gareth Delve, plus Scarlets duo Matthew Rees and Barry Davies as the newcomers to the squad which featured during the November internationals.

Uncapped Delve, who has been dogged by injury over the last two years, is rewarded for his blockbusting displays for Bath this season with a place in the 30-strong squad.

Ruddock said: "This is the first chance I've been to be able to pick Gareth Delve, who has needed game time since a long lay-off.

"He is catching the eye at the moment and it is nice to be able to call on someone of his quality.

"He looks to have a big future in front of him and I would like to thank Bath Rugby and their management team for the way they have nurtured his talent and supported him through his time out with injury.

"They have not tried to rush him back and hopefully, now that he is playing regularly, he will remain injury-free for some time."

Gavin Henson and Ospreys colleague Ian Evans have been omitted from the squad while they complete their suspensions, but Ruddock insists they remain in his selection plans for later in the tournament.

The duo are unavailable for opening match against England on February 4 and Scotland a week later.

"There is every chance Evans will be added to the squad once he has served his suspension," said Ruddock.

"I've only named three out-and-out locks at the moment with the added option of Michael Owen as cover in that department.

"Having invested heavily in Ian in the autumn and seeing him play so well for his region against Leicester in particular, we are keen to get him back on board as soon as possible.

"Henson has played less rugby and he needs to prove himself in his potential outing for the Ospreys on February 17, but the door is certainly open for him to also make a return."

Grand Slam winners Gethin Jenkins, Hal Luscombe and Dafydd Jones are back following their injury problems while Chris Horsman, Brent Cockbain, Ryan Jones, Tom Shanklin and Kevin Morgan have been ruled out for the entire tournament.

Wales squad for the 2006 RBS 6 Nations:
Forwards:
Duncan Jones (Ospreys), John Yapp (Cardiff Blues), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Mefin Davies (Gloucester Rugby), Rhys Thomas (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), Ian Gough (Newport Gwent Dragons), Robert Sidoli (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Michael Owen (Newport Gwent Dragons), Gareth Delve (Bath Rugby), Dafydd Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Alix Popham (Llanelli Scarlets), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), Colin Charvis (Newcastle Falcons)
Backs:
 Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Newport Gwent Dragons), Michael Phillips (Cardiff Blues), Stephen Jones (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Nicky Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys), Mark Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Dafydd James (Llanelli Scarlets), Lee Byrne (Llanelli Scarlets), Ceri Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons), Hal Luscombe (Newport Gwent Dragons), Matthew Watkins (Llanelli Scarlets), Barry Davies (Llanelli Scarlets), Gareth Thomas (Toulouse - Captain)

6-N not too far away. This is the first squad I've seen posted, guys! More soon.
                              Baz  

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

2. IRELAND

O'Sullivan welcomes back his captain    17/01/06

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has included centre Brian O'Driscoll in his 35-man squad for the Six Nations championship on Tuesday.

O'Driscoll, recovering from a dislocated shoulder sustained in the opening test of last year's Lions tour of New Zealand, did not play in Ireland's November Test series, but has recently returned to action with Leinster.

Ireland play their opening Six Nations match at home against Italy on February 4.

Also returning to the squad is Denis Hickie and Paul O'Connell, who also missed out in November through injury.
 
There are four uncapped heads in the squad. Scrum-half Rob Kearney and flank Jamie Heaslip from Leinster, who were members of the squad for the November Internationals, are both included again, as are Leicester loose forward Shane Jennings and Wasps scrum-half Eoin Reddan.
 
"Paul [O'Connell] and Brian [O'Driscoll] have had tough seasons so far in terms of injuries, but their form has been excellent since they returned to playing in December," said O'Sullivan.

"Along with the return of Denis Hickie, it gives the squad a little bit more experience then we had in November.

"Keeping in mind that we have the final round of the Heineken Cup this weekend, hopefully the squad will be fit and well and on the field next Monday morning.

"As well as the return of the more senior players, we still have a good blend of youth with Andrew Trimble, Rory Best, Neil Best and Jerry Flannery all coming into the Six Nations with a little bit more experience."
 
Commenting on the new additions to the squad, O'Sullivan said, "Both Eoin [Reddan] and Shane [Jennings] have been in good form for their clubs, so it will be good to see how they go with the squad next week. Jeremy Staunton and John Kelly have also been playing well and deserve their call up."

Ireland Squad:

Forwards: Neil Best (Ulster), Simon Best (Ulster), Rory Best (Ulster), Shane Byrne (Saracens), Reggie Corrigan (Leinster), Simon Easterby (Llanelli), Anthony Foley (Munster), Jerry Flannery (Munster), John Hayes (Munster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Marcus Horan (Munster), Shane Jennings (Leicester), Denis Leamy (Munster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster), Paul O'Connell (Munster), Johnny O'Connor (Wasps), Mick O'Driscoll (Munster), Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster), David Wallace (Munster)

Backs: Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster), Guy Easterby (Leinster), Denis Hickie (Leinster), Shane Horgan (Leinster), David Humphreys (Ulster), Robert Kearney (Leinster), John Kelly (Munster), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Ronan O'Gara (Munster), Eoin Reddan (Wasps), Jeremy Staunton (Wasps), Peter Stringer (Munster), Andrew Trimble (Ulster)

Two down ....four to go!
                                 Baz  

P.S. Barry  Murphy (Munster) has today 24/01/06 been pulled in too as injury cover!?  

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

3. SCOTLAND

Gordon Ross wins a recall                17/01/06

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has named two uncapped players in a 32-man Six Nations training squad - but he has failed to find room for Edinburgh fly-half Phil Godman.

Leeds Tykes stand-off Gordon Ross wins the nod ahead of Godman on the back of a good run of matches for his English club.

Meanwhile, two uncapped players are also included - centre Ben MacDougall and flank Andy Miller, both of Border Reivers.

Glasgow Warriors captain Jon Petrie also returns after missing out on Scotland's November Tests with a shoulder injury - as does Borders lock Scott MacLeod whose recent form and fitness is rewarded after a long absence through an ankle injury.

Godman misses out despite finishing Scotland's last Test against New Zealand. But Hadden stresses that his decision was based on recent displays by Ross and Dan Parks rather than any dip in form by the Edinburgh tyro.

"I watched Gordon playing for Leeds against Bath last week and I've been keeping an eye on him generally," said Hadden.

"The quality of his performance against Bath was out of the top drawer.

"Gordon was left out of the squad in the autumn but he's responded to that by pushing his way back into contention through form.

"But Phil could yet feature in the Six Nations."

Hadden was also pleased to see a rejuvenated Petrie – his captain in his first two Tests as national coach against the Barbarians and Romania last season – back in the frame.

"It's great to have him back. I'm satisfied with his form and I know he can contribute in other areas too," he said.

Hadden also reported that Nathan Hines, the 31-times capped lock who is now with Perpignan, was not figuring at this stage for personal reasons.

"As I have said before Nathan remains very much in my thoughts. He has not retired from international rugby."

The squad will train at Murrayfield from Monday to Thursday next week.

Scotland squad:

Backs: Mike Blair (Edinburgh Gunners), Chris Cusiter (Border Reivers), Marcus Di Rollo (Edinburgh Gunners), Andrew Henderson (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Lamont (Northampton Saints), Rory Lamont (Glasgow Warriors), Ben MacDougall (Border Reivers), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), Dan Parks (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Paterson (Edinburgh Gunners), Gordon Ross (Leeds Tykes), Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh Gunners), Nikki Walker (Border Reivers), Simon Webster (Edinburgh Gunners).

Forwards: Kelly Brown (Border Reivers), Bruce Douglas (Border Reivers), Ross Ford (Border Reivers), Dougie Hall (Edinburgh Gunners), Craig Hamilton (Glasgow Warriors), Allister Hogg (Edinburgh Gunners), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Gunners), Alastair Kellock (Edinburgh Gunners), Gavin Kerr (Leeds Tykes), Scott Lawson (Glasgow Warriors), Scott MacLeod (Border Reivers), Andy Miller (Border Reivers), Scott Murray (Edinburgh Gunners), Euan Murray (Glasgow Warriors), Jon Petrie (Glasgow Warriors), Craig Smith (Edinburgh Gunners), Simon Taylor (Edinburgh Gunners), Jason White (Sale Sharks, captain).

     Halfway          Cheers,
                                 Baz  

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

4. ITALY

Berbizier names Azzurri                    16/01/06

What, no Troncon?

Italy's national coach, Frenchman Pierre Berbizier, has named a squad of 25 players to start their preparations for the Six Nations.

The squad gathers from 22 to 26 January at Rome's Park Hotel. The team's first match is against Ireland at Lansdowne Road on 4 February.

There is no place in the squad for Alessandro Troncon, Italy's scrum-half and former captain whom many regard as the greatest player Italy has ever had. In recent times the man from Treviso has been blowing hot and cold as he comes to terms with the bestowing of the captaincy on young lock Marco Bortolami.

Back in the side are veteran wing Denis Dallan, speedster Simon Picone, prop Salvatore Perugini and experienced Argentinian lock Santiago Dellapè who missed the November Tests because of injury.

The Italian squad:

Backs: Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Français), Gonzalo Canale (Clermont Auvergne), Denis Dallan (Benetton Treviso), Ezio Galon (Overmach Parma), Paul Griffen (Ghial Calvisano), Ludovico Maria Nitoglia (Ghial Calvisano), Samuele Pace (Arix Viadana), Ramiro Pez (Perpignan), Simon Picone (Benetton Treviso), Alessandro Stoica (Montpellier), Rima Wakarua (SKG GRan Parma).

Forwards: Mauro Bergamasco (Stade Français), Marco Bortolami (Narbonne), Martin Castrogiovanni (Ghial Calvisano), Carlo Del Fava (Bourgoin), Santiago Dellapè’ (Agen), Carlo Festuccia (SKG GRan Parma), Andrea Lo Cicero (Conad L’Aquila), Carlos Nieto (Arix Viadana), Fabio Ongaro (Benetton Treviso), Sergio Parisse (Stade Français), Salvatore Perugini (Ghial Calvisano), Josh Sole (Arix Viadana), Maurizio Zaffiri (Ghial Calvisano), Alessandro Zanni (Ghial Calvisano).

Four down , two to go!     Baz  

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

5. ENGLAND

Dallaglio returns to the Test stage           18/01/06

Magnus Lund gets the nod

Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio has been included in his country's 36-man training squad for the forthcoming Six Nations championship. Sale Sharks loose forward Magnus Lund also gets the nod.

Dallaglio has won 73 caps - only Jason Leonard, Rory Underwood and Martin Johnson have made more England appearances - and his last Test match was a 51-15 defeat against Australia some 17 months ago.

The Wasps loose forward quit the Test arena in August 2004, citing the "treadmill" nature of top-flight rugby.

Those views now appear to be behind him and he returns to the international stage having proved his fitness following the serious ankle injury that prematurely ended his Lions tour of New Zealand last year.

"I'm obviously delighted to have been given the opportunity to be part of the England set up again and I'm very much looking forward to getting together with the squad soon," said Dallaglio.

"It's up to all of us now to make sure that England go out and play as well as we can, and I'm looking forward to competing for a place in the team."

Whether or not he makes the starting line-up is unclear, given that England have considerable back row options, including the likes of a fit-again Joe Worsley, Lewis Moody (whose nine-week suspension expires later this month), in-form Pat Sanderson and Martin Corry who retains the captaincy.

"It's great to be able to include Lawrence Dallaglio," said England coach Andy Robinson.

"He has done well for Wasps and his appetite to play for England again is huge.

"However, he knows as well as anyone that the back row is a massively competitive area and like any player he will need to work hard to be selected.

"Martin Corry will be the captain for the Six Nations - he was inspirational during the autumn and we believe he is the man to lead England throughout the tournament."

Lund - who has represented England at Under-21, 'A' level and Sevens - will also contend for a spot amongst the loose trio.

The 22-year-old, whose father is a Norweigian, has been rewarded for his part in taking the Sharks to the top of the Guinness Premiership and into the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

"I am delighted - it was a big shock to receive the call from Andy Robinson," said Lund.
 
"I am really looking forward to training with the England players over the coming weeks and  I realise I have a lot to learn and do.
 
"At the start of the season who would have thought that Sale Sharks would be top of the Guinness Premiership and Pool One of the Heineken Cup going into the biggest game in the club's history this weekend against Munster and that I'd be called up to train with England?
 
"A lot of the credit needs to go to Phillipe Saint Andre, Kingsley Jones and Nick Johnston, the Sharks' head of conditioning,  who has put in a lot of hours with me outside of the normal training schedule, to help me become the player I am."

Elsewhere, locks Alex Brown and Simon Shaw are back after they missed the November Tests through injury and will attempt to oust Steve Borthwick and Danny Grewcock from the engine room.

Robinson also confirmed that Jonny Wilkinson, Andy Farrell and Andy Hazell were not considered because they are either injured or returning to full fitness.

Meanwhile, whilst the 33-year-old Dallaglio can look forward to possibly being involved in next month's tournament opener against Wales at Twickenham, there is fresh injury heartache for his fellow Rugby World Cup winner, Phil Vickery.

The Gloucester prop has been omitted from 36-man squad due to another back injury that now poses serious questions about his future career prospects.

Vickery, capped 47 times, has already undergone two back operations during an injury-ravaged career, and he is only too well aware that a similar problem ended the career of his former England and Gloucester front-row colleague Trevor Woodman.

"We will, in conjunction with Gloucester, monitor Phil's progress over the next few weeks but he will not be considered for the Wales game," said Robinson.

"I am disappointed for Phil because he is an outstanding member of the squad and we hope to see him back soon."

The squad will meet at Loughborough University late on Sunday (January 22) through to Tuesday (January 24) with a final cut to be made prior to the Wales game.

"I am excited about the players we have available to us and as coaches we are looking forward to working with them," said Robinson.

"I have selected a large squad because of the Heineken Cup and Guinness Premiership games over the next two weekends which may take their toll.

"We know that people drop out through injury and it highlights the quality of players available that we have 36 who are all in contention for the game against Wales."

England training squad:

Backs: Josh Lewsey (Wasps), Mark van Gisbergen (Wasps), Mark Cueto (Sale), Tom Voyce (Wasps), Ben Cohen (Northampton), Tom Varndell (Leicester), James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), Mike Tindall (Gloucester), Jamie Noon (Newcastle), Stuart Abbott (Wasps), Olly Barkley (Bath), Charlie Hodgson (Sale), Andy Goode (Leicester), Matt Dawson (Wasps), Harry Ellis (Leicester), Peter Richards (Gloucester).

Forwards: Steve Thompson (Northampton), Lee Mears (Bath), George Chuter (Leicester), Andrew Sheridan (Sale), Julian White (Leicester), Matt Stevens (Bath), Perry Freshwater (Perpignan), Danny Grewcock (Bath), Steve Borthwick (Bath), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Alex Brown (Gloucester), Louis Deacon (Leicester), Martin Corry (Leicester-capt), Lawrence Dallaglio (Wasps), Joe Worsley (Wasps), Chris Jones (Sale), Lewis Moody (Leicester), Pat Sanderson (Worcester), Magnus Lund (Sale), James Forrester (Gloucester).

 Five down , only France to go!
                               Cheers,
                                 Baz  

[EREHWON WARRIORS]

6. FRANCE

France choose squad for Scotland    23 /01/ 2006
Pelous is back at the helm

France coach Bernard Laporte and the team's manager, Jo Maso, have announced the French 22 for their first Six Nations match - the encounter with Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday, 5 February.

They made the announcement in the CNR auditorium at Marcoussis, Paris, of not only the senior team but also of France 'A' to play Ireland in Limoges on 10 February.

Fabien Pelous, now 32 and capped 102 times for France, is back in the team after his nine-week suspension for elbowing Brendan Cannon of Australia and he is back as captain.

"The return of Fabien is pure logic - he is our captain and he proved with Toulouse in the Heineken Cup that he was fully fit," said Maso.

Christophe Dominici and Nicolas Brusque, who both missed the November Tests through injury, are also back in the side. Brusque has taken the place of Thomas Castaignède who suffered a thigh injury playing for Saracens against Biarritz on Saturday.

Dominici, 33, won the last of his 47 caps when he was knocked unconscious during France's 56-13 win over Italy in last season's Six Nations.

Notable selections are those of Ludovic Valbon and Benjamin Boyet. Notable omissions are those of Aurélien Rougerie, who has had injury problems, and Wasps hooker Raphaël Ibañez.

Valbon is probably there because of his versatility. He is able to cover wing and centre - a role which Castaignède would fill admirably. It may be a case that Valbon and Brusque equal Castaignède!

"We are of course sorry for Thomas because he made a great comeback in November but he pulled a thigh muscle on Saturday in the Heineken Cup match against Biarritz," said Maso.

"We talked to him this morning [Monday] and he told us he should be fit again in two weeks."

Valbon, 29 years of age, born in Paris and playing for Brive, was first capped against the USA in July 2004. His second cap was in the Six Nations when France played Scotland. He is 1,82m tall and weighs 92kg.

Boyet, who is 26, has been chosen as cover for Frédéric Michalak with Maso explaining to reporters that "Benjamin benefits from Yann Delaigue's injury". Boyet has not played for France before. He is 1,85m tall and weighs 84kg.

Dimitri Yachvili may be fortunate to get the nod as back-up scrum-half ahead of Pierre Mignoni. His goal-kicking ability may have been decisive.

"We decided to rely on the players who gave us full satisfaction in November against South Africa and Australia when they were available," Maso added.

"We want to win the Six Nations because it's a true competition and we want to field the best players available."

France squad:

Forwards (12) : Dimitri Szarzewski (Stade Français), Yannick Bruno (Sale, England), Sylvain Marconnet (Stade Français), Pieter de Villiers (Stade Français), Olivier Milloud (Bourgoin), Jérôme Thion (Biarritz), Fabien Pelous (Toulouse, captain), Lionel Nallet (Castres), Yannick Nyanga (Toulouse), Julien Bonnaire (Bourgoin), Rémy Martin (Stade Français), Thomas Lièvremont (Biarritz).

Backs (10) : Jean-Baptiste Elissalde (Toulouse), Dimitri Yachvili (Biarritz), Frédéric Michalak (Toulouse), Benjamin Boyet (Bourgoin), Yannick Jauzion (Toulouse), Florian Fritz (Toulouse), Cédric Heymans (Toulouse), Ludovic Valbon (Brive), Christophe Dominici (Stade Français), Nicolas Brusque (Biarritz).

France 'A' squad:

Forwards : Nicolas Mas (Perpignan), Jean-Baptiste Poux (Toulouse), Olivier Sourgens (Pau), Benjamin Kaiser (Stade Français), Benoît Cabello (Bourgoin), Grégory Lamboley (Toulouse), Julien Pierre (Bourgoin), Arnaud Marchois (Stade Français), Imanol Harinordoquy (Biarritz), Thierry Dusautoir (Biarritz), Florian Faure (Castres), Grégory Le Corvec (Perpignan).

Backs: Pierre Mignoni (Clermont Auvergne), Nicolas Durand (Perpignan), Nicolas Laharrague (Perpignan), David Skrela (Stade Français), David Marty (Perpignan), Guillaume Boussès (Bourgoin), Jean-Baptiste Gobelet (Biarritz), Philippe Bidabé (Biarritz), Pépito Elhorga (Agen).

France 'A' management:

Coaches: Pierre Chadebech, Marc Lièvremont
Manager: Serge Raballo

Like the French always do....take their own sweet time!
     
                                Cheers,
                                  Baz