By Andrew Collins
May 7 2005

9 Blues players make the Wales squad to face Canada and USA. Mike Ruddok's today named his 29-man squad which includes 4 U-21 Grand Slam winners along with Mark taylor who will be captaining Wales.

Backs: K Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Williams (Cardiff Blues), C Czekaj (Cardiff Blues), C Morgan (Cardiff Blues), T Selley (Llanelli Scarlets), M Taylor (Sale Sharks, capt), M Watkins (Llanelli Scarlets), C Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons), M Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), N Robinson (Cardiff Blues), M Phillips (Cardiff Blues), A Williams (Bath).

Forwards: D Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), J Yapp (Cardiff Blues), B Broster (Saracens), A Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), M Davies (Gloucester), T-R Thomas (Cardiff Blues), M Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), L Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), B Cockbain (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), I Gough (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Sidoli (Cardiff Blues), C Charvis (Newcastle), R Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), R Pugh (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), R Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff Blues), J Thomas (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), A Popham (Leeds).

Rhys Williams, Mike Phillips, Yapp, Sowden-Taylor and Rob Sidoli all looked set to go, but there was space for 6ft 3 wing Chris Czekaj and Thomas-Rhys-Thomas making their debut, while Craig Morgan got an undeserved re-call and Nicky Robinson did enough with the few games he had to command a place in the squad. Meanwhile, Gareth Williams misses out as does Deiniol Jones and Bath's Andy Williams gets in over Ryan Powell.

Dai Young will hope to see the partnership of Mike Phillips and Nicky Robinson at 9 and 10 work well with Mike joining up with the Blues next season  Kort Schubert looks set to appear against Wales, captaining the USA Eagles. The Welsh Blues will all be available to play the play-off match against Calvasano, however, it doesn't look as though Kort will be released.