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Ian Evans makes a break during Wales's two Test tour to Argentina in the summer of 2006
(Main) Ian Evans makes a break during Wales's two Test tour to Argentina in the summer of 2006 (Thumb) Evans in 2006 Invesco Perpetual Series action against Australia
Huw Evans
Evans ruled out of Argentina Test
13 August 2007, 5:04 pm
By WRU
Ian Evans has been withdrawn from the Wales team to face Argentina because of an injured shoulder.
The Ospreys lock sustained the injury during training and will be monitored during the coming days to establish the full extent of the injury. His replacement will be confirmed on Tuesday.


WRU Audio: Wales Defence Coach Rowland Phillips on Ian Evans and the Wales defence


Coach Gareth Jenkins named Evans in his original XV on Friday. Jenkins picked a strong side to face the Puma's in the wake of Wales's 62-5 defeat to England two weeks ago.

Rugby World Cup captain Gareth Thomas starts in the centre alongside fellow Grand Slam winner Tom Shanklin.

“Gareth has done particularly well when he has been picked at inside centre and we feel going forward we need to keep the combinations going. Dafydd (James) has got tremendous experience. Having experience gives the side balance."

With Shane Williams unavailable, the Scarlets provide the wing pairing with Mark Jones partnering Dafydd James, the try-scorer against England. Kevin Morgan takes over from Lee Bryne at fullback to earn his 44th cap. James Hook partners Dwayne Peel at half back.

Jenkins has made wholesale changes to the pack that were outmuscled against England, suggesting that the eight men selected to face the huge Argentinean pack will be his first-choice unit for the World Cup.

“It’s a completely different pack (to the England side) and that was always going to be the case The selection against England allowed the key players to have a couple of extra weeks training together.

"Now it’s their chance and their turn, and their responsibility to prove to everyone in Wales that they are capable of fronting up against one of the toughest packs in world rugby.

“Argentina will want to take the game up front and it’s a big test for what we consider to be our first-choice set of forwards.

The ‘hair bears’ Adam and Duncan Jones return to the front row, with Mathew Rees of the Scarlets handed the No.2 jersey, while Alix Popham gets the nod over Colin Charvis in the back row in a much changed pack.

The Wales team to play Argentina at the Millennium Stadium in the Invesco Perpetual Series ’07 on Saturday August 18th, is:

Wales: Kevin Morgan (Dragons): Dafydd James (Scarlets), Tom Shanklin (Blues), Gareth Thomas (Blues, Captain), Mark Jones (Scarlets); James Hook (Ospreys), Dwayne Peel (Scarlets); Duncan Jones (Ospreys), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Ian Gough (Ospreys), TBC, Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Martyn Williams (Blues), Alix Popham (Scarlets)

Replacements: T Rhys Thomas (Blues), Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Colin Charvis (Dragons), Mike Phillips (Ospreys), Ceri Sweeney (Dragons), Jamie Robinson (Blues)

Welsh Rugby Union Limited: A Company Registered in England & Wales under the Number: 3419514 - Millennium Stadium plc: A Company Registered in England & Wales under the Number: 3176906

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