Rugby Union round-up: Wales call-up for Pretorius

Andries Pretorius

South African-born forward Andries Pretorius has been named in the Wales squad for this season’s RBS Six Nations Championship.

Wales interim coach Rob Howley named the 27-year-old Cardiff Blues back-row forward along with four other uncapped newcomers to be included in the 35-man group.

Pretorious is eligible to play for the Welsh national team on grounds of residency, having become available for selection in December.

Other news faces include Blues back-row colleague Josh Navidi, Ospreys wing Eli Walker and lock James King, plus Newport Gwent Dragons second-row forward Andrew Coombs.

The side has already had to deal with injury problems, and suffered a further setback on Tuesday when flanker Ryan Jones was ruled out with a dislocated thumb, picked up during Ospreys Heineken Cup encounter with Leicester.

In addition to that latest blow, Alun-Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies and Ian Evans are all currently out of action.

Discussing his makeshift squad, Howley explained: “We have put together a very experienced squad and complimented that by rewarding the in-form players with a call-up.

"The players in the squad have been playing really well, and we have been pleased with their individual performances.

"We have a group of players who know how to win big matches and have experienced success. We are adding to that players who have stood out and performed well for the regions this season."

The coach also confirmed a new addition to his coaching staff in Mark Jones, the former Wales wing who won 47 caps before going on to coach the Scarlets’ back row. Jones will now reprise that role for the national side.

Steve Colton

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