 | USA v WALES |
Wales coach Mike Ruddock says he is confident his weakened team will perform strongly against the USA. "Despite losing 10 players to the Lions and others to injury, we have picked a strong, experienced side with just one new cap, Matthew Rees," said Ruddock.
"He's played well for the Scarlets all season, is very active in the line-out and busy in attack and defence."
Ruddock said that Blues forwards were rested after their game on Sunday, but backs from the Cardiff side were named.
"Physically the forwards needed more time to recover," said Ruddock, who has selected Blues hooker Rhys Thomas on the bench.
"It is good to see [Ospreys prop] Duncan Jones back after missing the Six Nations and we wanted [Dragons lock] Luke Charteris to start and gain more international experience.
"It is important we have a strong backbone to the side in order to build on our recent performances and we will look to gain a balance in the team across the two Tests [Wales face Canada next week]. "We are looking forward to the challenge of playing the USA.
They have two games under their belts in the past few weeks - they narrowly lost 30-26 to Canada and beat Romania 28-22.
"They are a very settled team with some exciting runners behind including Francois Viljoen, Mike Palefau, Paul Emerick and Mike Hercus.
"They have a very big, aggressive pack and, with [Blues number eight] Kort Schubert as captain, they will know a lot about the Wales team."
Ruddock had special praise for captain Mark Taylor, who will make his 50th Wales appearance in the game.
"I am delighted for Mark that he is leading the team out for his 50th cap," said the coach.
"He has been, and still is, a great servant to Wales.
"He is still in great shape and he has already been hugely influential with the younger players on this tour.
"He also still has a huge amount of ambition, hence his new three-year deal with Sale Sharks."
Taylor himself added: "It is a great honour to be captaining Wales again and winning my 50th cap at the same time makes it extra special."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
It is a great honour to be captaining Wales again and winning my 50th cap at the same time makes it extra special
Eagle stars
