Wales pick strong side for opener - and Jones-Hughes makes bench
Cardiff
September 26, 1999
Wales coach Graham Henry has named his strongest side for the World Cup opener against Argentina on Friday.
The side which was announced a day earlier than expected is the same as that which started in the win over France last month.
The pack is also the one that featured against world champions South Africa three months ago, probably Wales' most notable success during a nine-match unbeaten run stretching back to early March.
New Welsh 'convert' Jason Jones-Hughes was among the list of replacements. He gets his chance primarily due to an injury that has ruled Allan Bateman out of contention. Bateman has an Achilles' tendon problem, but is likely to enter the selection frame for Wales' second match against Japan in Cardiff on October 9.
"Jason has looked good in training - you need utility players among the substitutes to cover all eventualities," Henry said.
Wales team to play Argentina
S Howarth (Newport); G Thomas (Cardiff), M Taylor (Swansea), S Gibbs (Swansea), D James (Llanelli); N Jenkins (Cardiff), R Howley (Cardiff, capt); P Rogers (Newport), G Jenkins (Swansea), D Young (Cardiff), C Quinnell (Cardiff), C Wyatt (Llanelli), C Charvis (Swansea), B Sinkinson (Neath), S Quinnell
(Llanelli).
Replacements: J Jones-Hughes (New South Wales), S Jones (Llanelli), D
Llewellyn (Newport), M Voyle (Llanelli), J Humphreys (Cardiff), A Lewis
(Cardiff), B Evans (Swansea).
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