 Howley says the likes of Stoddart will prove themselves on tour |
Backs coach Rob Howley says the young talent in Wales' depleted squad will do the business in South Africa. "You have to blood the new players on the path to the World Cup in 2011, we are not going to bring in new players just before the tournament," he said. "It's an important tour for the likes of Andrew Bishop, Bradley Davies and Morgan Stoddart. "They certainly came through the eight days in Wales' training camp in Ireland with flying colours."  | 606: DEBATE |
Wales leave on 29 May and face the world champion Springboks in two Tests - at Bloemfontein's Vodacom Park on 7 June, followed by Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld the following Saturday. "We are looking forward to it, it's a huge challenge," the former Wales and Lions scrum-half told BBC Sport Wales. "Whether we're in Bloemfontein or Pretoria it is at altitude and will ask questions of us so the players know what's in front of them. "We set our targets during the Six Nations and equally we are going to set targets in South Africa. | The 2008 Grand Slam has gone. It's all about South Africa 2008 |
"The 2008 Grand Slam has gone. It's all about South Africa 2008. It's really important that once again we re-visit what we achieved, but we need to take it on to the next level and what better place to go than the home of the world champions. "It will definitely be a strong South Africa and I think it's a good thing for world rugby that there are going to be no quotas. "They've come out and said that so the likes of Victor Matfield, who's playing in the northern hemisphere, are going to be selected and whether the Stormers or Sharks get through to the semi-final of the Super 14 affects the numbers they will name in their squad at the weekend. "They intended to name 45, but will now name 22 additions to that squad. "From an analytical point of view it's going to be difficult to judge and with Dick Muir, the new assistant coaching being brought on-board, it's going to be a difficult time for the analysis group."  Rob Howley in action on the 1997 Lions tour to South Africa |
Howley toured South Africa with the 1997 Lions under Ian McGeechan, and he had words of support for the Scot after he was named as the man to lead the Lions against the Springboks in 2009. "Ian is a top-quality coach, he's done it so many times for the Lions," said Howley. "It was great to be a part of the 1997 tour with Ian and of course I'm sure he'll have an eye on what happens on the tour with Wales and the Welsh players. "Deep down, when I was a player in Lions year you always know you have to perform. "Those players who feel they are going to be under the microscope, well that level goes up again and I'm sure if you look at the 2008 Six Nations many of our players are going to be under the eye. "It's for them to set the answers for Ian McGeechan."
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