By Chris O'Brien
February 19 2006

Robin Sowden-Taylor has been added to the Wales 'sevens' squad for the upcoming Commonwealth Games tournament in Melbourne. The Openside flanker joins Rhys Williams and Wayne Evans in a 12-man 'Team Wales', in what promises to be an exciting battle for medals 'Down Under'.

Robin Sowden-Taylor becomes the third Cardiff Blues star to be named in Wales 12-man Commonwealth Games Sevens squad.

The 23-year-old has been added to a strong squad following the withdrawal of Osprey Lee Beech through injury. He joins Arms Park colleagues Rhys Williams and Wayne Evans in what promises to be an exciting competition of sevens rugby.

The Commonwealth Games:

Rugby Sevens is a fast-paced, action-packed version of rugby football which is proving increasingly popular with supporters. It has been a headline event at the Commonwealth Games since 1998 and will once again attract crowds at the multi-sport event in Melbourne on the 15th and 16th of March.

Wales are one of 16 nations who will be competing for medals at the 'Games'. The qualifying stage of the competition sees a Welsh squad, mixed with youth and experience, fight the challenge of New Zealand, Kenya and Namibia with the All Blacks likely to stage the biggest threat to the hopes of Dai Rees's side.

Pool B contains Fiji, Scotland, Canada and Niue.
Pool C contains England, Australia, Cook Islands and Sri Lanka.
Pool D contains South Africa, Samoa, Tonga and Uganda.

It promises to be another lightning tournament, and though clear underdogs against the All Blacks, Wales will be fancying their chances of getting amongst the medals. New Zealand are the fourth highest ranked teams in World Sevens, placed behind South Africa, England and the mighty leaders of the 7-man game Fiji.

Unfortunately, the Six Nations Championship is likely to overshadow the tournament with the Sevens fixtures sandwiched between Wales' home games against the Italians and French,

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Welsh Sevens Squad: Richie Pugh (Ospreys, captain), Rhys Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri McAtee (Penzance), James Hook (Ospreys), James Merriman (Gloucester Rugby), Jonathan Edwards (Llanelli Scarlets), Jamie Ringer (Newport Gwent Dragons), Robin Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff Blues), Wayne Evans (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Wyatt (Newport Gwent Dragons), Tal Selley (Llanelli Scarlets), Jonathan Vaughton (Ospreys).

Coach: David Rees
Manager: David Jenkins
Assistant coach: Gareth Baber
Fitness coach: Steve Richards