Welsh young guns go west

The squad met with children at Llandough Hospital before leaving

The Wales Development Squad is flying out to Canada ready for a three week tour that will give the players a chance to stake their claims for a place in Graham Henry's senior squad.

The young guns of Welsh rugby will play five matches against Canadian opposition ranging from district team to Canada A.

Ebbw Vale's Richard Smith will skipper the tour after prop Andrew Lewis pulled out to look after his father.

He was the second big name to go after Australian import Jason Jones-Hughes withdrew because of injury.

The Newport centre damaged his ankle ligaments and will be sidelined for a month.

Future internationals

It leaves just four capped players on the trip - tour captain Smith, Matt Cardey, Shane Williams and Chris Anthony.

But coach Graham Henry said he was hoping the players would make the most of their chance.

"It brings players on who are going to be the next internationals," he said.

"From this tour we will come back and know that there are 10 or 12 guys who are going to be future internationals."

Wales play their first game against Eastern Canada in St Johns in Newfoundland on Friday.

They go on to play against Ontario, Canada A, Young Canada and finish against a British Columbia President's XV in Vancouver on 1 July.

Wales development squad to tour Canada: Backs: M Cardey (Llanelli), P Jones (Uwic), S Williams (Neath), D Williams (Neath), M Jones (Llanelli), S Winn (Swansea), M J Watkins (Newport), J Robinson (Cardiff), A Durston (Bridgend), C Rees (Neath), C Sweeney (Pontypridd), R Smith (Ebbw Vale, capt), G Cooper (Bath), R Powell (Cardiff)

Forwards: P Booth (Llanelli), I Thomas (Ebbw Vale), C Anthony (Swansea), D Jones (Neath), C Wells (Swansea), S Jones (Neath), A Newman (Northampton), D Jones (Ebbw Vale), J Griffiths (Swansea), Adam Jones (Harlequins), H Jenkins (Llanelli), M Owen (Pontypridd), G Thomas (Bath), P Williams (Ebbw Vale), A Popham (Newport), A Lloyd (Bath)