Wales, Ospreys and British and Irish
Lions star Adam Jones has named an experienced squad to take on Neath RFC for
his Testimonial Game on Friday 24 August at The Gnoll (kick-off
7.45pm).
The 35-man squad, which will be
captained by Jones, is set to include four Welsh British and Irish Lions and
the experience of 22 international rugby players from past and present.
Former international hooker Barry
Williams, current Wales U20s coach Mark Taylor and rugby league and union
legend Alan Bateman will add their experience of wearing the famous red jerseys
of Wales and the Lions to the side.
Former Canada flanker and Wales’
Strength and Conditioning Coach Dan Baugh and Ospreys player turned Head Coach
Steve Tandy will be swapping their coaches’ whistles for rugby boots to face
Neath.
Representing the southern hemisphere,
Tongans Kati Tu'ipulotu and Dave Tiueti will take the field as well as Samoan
flanker George Stowers who will be released from the Ospreys.
The region will also offer the services
of Wales’ age-grade talent Daniel Suter, Morgan Allan, Sam Davies and Lloyd
Peers and the experience of second-row James Goode and full-back Barry
Davies.
Speaking about his Testimonial team mates
and the challenge that awaits them next Friday, Jones said:
"To be able to share the field
with so many great players for my Testimonial Game is an absolute privilege. I
am overwhelmed at the response and enthusiasm of the boys wanting to pull on a
jersey again. I haven't seen some of these boys for a very long time so just
looking forward to playing with them once more.”
The squad will play in honour of the
Testimonial Year of Wales’ three-times Grand Slam winning prop at the venue
which launched Adam’s career with both Neath and the Ospreys.
“I am very excited about going back to
The Gnoll. It was where it all started for me and to be able to go 'home' and
hold my Testimonial game there is an honour. In 2000, when I first pulled on
that Welsh All Black jersey, albeit a little snug, and replaced 'Bully"
(Andrew Millward) to run out in front of a home crowd against Connaught is
something I will always hold dear. Never once did I think I'd be here 12 years
later playing a game in my honour.
“The Club and my region have provided
great support and I’m looking forward to playing alongside Steve Tandy once
more while many of my Ospreys team mates make themselves available for
autograph signings in the crowd ahead of their first regional league game of the
season.
“I’d like to say a special thank you to
Neath Chairman, Phil Davies, Mike Cuddy and Geraint Hawkes. Without their
support the Testimonial game would not have been possible.”
The squad to face Neath is as follows:
Forwards: Adam Jones (Ospreys, Wales, British & Irish Lions), Andrew Howells (Neath), Andrew Millward (Neath, Ospreys, Wales A), Daniel Suter (Ospreys, Wales U20s), Paul Jones (Neath), Mefin Davies (Neath, Ospreys, Gloucester, Leicester, Wales), Barry Williams (Neath, Ospreys, Wales, British & Irish Lions), Osprey Hooker (TBC), Lyndon Bateman (Neath, Ospreys), Steve Martin (Neath), Andrew Newman (Neath, Northampton, Ospreys, Wales A), James Goode (Ospreys, Manawatu, Newcastle Falcons), Lloyd Peers (Ospreys), Sam Williams (Ospreys), Richard Francis (Neath, Wales A), Dan Baugh (Cardiff, Canada), Steve Tandy (Neath, Ospreys), Hywel Jenkins (Llanelli, Neath, Ospreys, Wales A), Kati Tu'ipulotu (Neath, Tonga), George Stowers (Ospreys, Samoa), Morgan Allan (Ospreys, Wales U20s)
Backs: Gareth Morris (Neath), Cellan Edwards (Abercrave), Carwyn Owen (Abercrave), Nathan Brew (Neath, Wales), Dave Tiueti (Neath, Ospreys, Tonga), James Storey (Neath), Allan Bateman (Maesteg, Neath, Warrington RL, Wales, British & Irish Lions, Great Britain RL), Mark Taylor (Pontypool, Swansea, Wales, British & Irish Lions), Leigh Davies (Neath, Llanelli, Ospreys, Wales) Andy Williams (Ospreys, Bath, Dragons, Wales), Lee Jarvis (Cardiff, Wales), Dylan Pugh (Neath), Sam Davies (Ospreys, Wales U18s, U20s), Barry Davies (Scarlets, Brive, Ospreys, Wales)
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