Wales ask Woodward for advice

Helping out: Clive Woodward

14 April 2012

Wales are inviting Sir Clive Woodward to talk their players into defeating the All Blacks at Cardiff in November for the first time since 1953.

In a commendable initiative which transcends the old Anglo-Welsh prejudices, Wales coach Mike Ruddock is inviting the former England manager to address the squad on the subject of winning Test rugby during a week long attachment in his capacity as head coach of the Lions. 'His very presence as the World Cup winning coach will be a fantastic boost to us,' said Ruddock from the Wales camp in the Vale of Glamorgan.

'Ideally, I would like him to outline what makes a winning player and what makes a winning team. 'We talk to the players about finding the extra one per cent to win the game and getting access to Clive will help us find it. If I can liaise with him, it would have a huge impact on the squad.

'His experiences of playing New Zealand over the years will be significant to us in terms of planning. We would like to pick his brains and I will be chatting to him about that in discussing the itinerary for the week.

'Clive is a winner. He has also been through the process of a very tough start, so he's had to look at why things went wrong and how to put them right.

'He had a difficult time at the 1999 World Cup, but analysed that and improved to such an extent that he won the next one. I am sure his presence will be welcomed by all the players.

'He has made his decision to leave the English team behind. We should not even question whether he would consider parting with any secrets from the Welsh camp but respect Clive for what he is - a man of high integrity.'

Gavin Henson, the most gifted of the younger Welsh players, whom Ruddock plans to use at inside centre rather than fly half or full back, summed up the dressing room verdict.

'He's done really well with England, so he'll probably have good ideas,' he said. 'Hopefully, he will be able to share them with us.'

Ruddock's 29-man squad for the home Tests, starting against South Africa on November 6, includes two uncapped players - 21-year-old Dragons lock Luke Charteris, all 6ft 9in of him, and 23-year-old Ospreys back row forward Ryan Jones, whose regional team top the Celtic League. Despite the presence of current skipper Colin Charvis, the appointment of a captain has been delayed.

WALES SQUAD - Backs: G Thomas (Toulouse), S Williams (Ospreys), R Williams, C Morgan, T Shanklin (all Cardiff), M Taylor (Llanelli), G Henson, S Parker (both Ospreys), S Jones ( Clermont Auvergne), C Sweeney, G Cooper (both Gwent Dragons), D Peel (Llanelli). Forwards: D Jones, A Jones (both Ospreys), I Thomas (Llanelli), G Jenkins, G Williams (both Cardiff), M Davies (Neath), B Cockbain (Ospreys), M Owen, L Charteris (both Gwent Dragons), G Llewellyn (Narbonne), R Sidoli, M Williams (both Cardiff), J Thomas, R Jones (both Ospreys), D Jones (Llanelli), C Charvis (Newc), A Popham (Leeds).

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