Tuesday 13 May 2014 13:10, UK
Gavin Henson’s hopes of a Wales recall have received a boost after he was named in the ‘Probables’ squad to face a ‘Possibles’ team in their trial match on May 30.
Henson, 32, has not played for Wales since he was injured during a 2011 World Cup warm-up game against England in Cardiff.
Henson is among a 26-man ‘Probables’ squad that will be captained by Alun-Wyn Jones to face the ‘Possibles’, another 26-man group under the leadership of Cardiff Blues hooker Matthew Rees.
The game is a full-blown preparation for Wales' two-Test South Africa tour next month, which is live on Sky Sports.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland is due to announce a 31-man tour squad during his post-match press conference following the trial game at Swansea's Liberty Stadium.
There is no guarantee, though, that Henson and other Wales players with Aviva Premiership clubs will be released for the trial.
English clubs and French teams are not obliged to release players as the game is not a Test match, as stipulated by the International Rugby Board.
Northampton wing George North has a release in his Saints contract for full Wales duties, but it is possible that he will be involved in the Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham on May 31.
Racing Metro trio Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips and Dan Lydiate, meanwhile, could be otherwise engaged in the French Top 14 final that same weekend.
Racing face a semi-final against Jonny Wilkinson's Toulon next weekend, while the Premiership play-offs see Northampton face Leicester on Friday night and Saracens hosting Harlequins the following day.
Gatland is resigned to be being without several injured players for Tests against South Africa in Durban and Nelspruit, a list that includes Sam Warburton, Leigh Halfpenny, Justin Tipuric, Scott Williams and Richard Hibbard.
Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland, who suffered a knee injury three days ago, has also not been named in either trial squad, which suggests he will be another tour absentee.
Gatland's assistant and Probables head coach Rob Howley has named two uncapped players in his squad - Ospreys back Sam Davies and Newport Gwent Dragons prop Owen Evans - while there are 10 uncapped players in the Possibles squad, including Leicester fly-half Owen Williams and Blues forwards Kristian Dacey and Macauley Cook.
"The trial is a great platform for us to see all of these players up close and allow them to pit themselves against each other," Howley said.
"It takes us back to the traditional Wales trials of old, and gives players an opportunity to put their hand up for the Wales jersey. Both sides will be going hard against each other with players having a point to prove.
"It's also a vital game in our preparation ahead of the tour to South Africa. The vast majority of the squad wouldn't have had any game time after last weekend, and this allows us to have a meaningful match."
And Possibles coach Robin McBryde added: "It's an important opportunity to see these players in our environment.
"The door is always open in international rugby, and it will be good to see the squads for the week leading up to the game and in a game that has a lot of pressure attached, as trials always do.
"It's a chance to see players go head-to-head for the jersey, and it should be a great contest."
Probables
Backs: Liam Williams (Scarlets), H Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), G North (Northampton), A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), G Henson (Bath), J Roberts (Racing Metro), J Davies (Scarlets), S Davies (Ospreys), D Biggar (Ospreys), M Phillips (Racing Metro), R Williams (Scarlets).
Forwards: G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), O Evans (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Gill (Saracens), A Jones (Ospreys), S Lee (Scarlets), K Owens (Scarlets), S Baldwin (Ospreys), A-W Jones (Ospreys, capt), L Charteris (Perpignan), J Ball (Scarlets), R Jones (Bristol), A Shingler (Scarlets), J Navidi (Cardiff Blues), D Lydiate (Racing Metro), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Possibles
Backs: J Williams (Scarlets), T Prydie (Newport Gwent Dragons), H Robinson (Cardiff Blues), J Spratt (Ospreys), C Allen (Cardiff Blues), S Shingler (Scarlets), O Williams (Leicester), M Morgan (Ospreys), J Hook (Perpignan), G Davies (Scarlets), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues).
Forwards: P James (Bath), P Price (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Evans (Scarlets), R Jones (Scarlets), S Andrews (Cardiff Blues), A Jarvis (Ospreys), M Rees (Cardiff Blues, capt), K Dacey (Cardiff Blues), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), A Coombs (Newport Gwent Dragons), I Evans (Ospreys), M Cook (Cardiff Blues), J Turnbull (Scarlets), J Davies (Scarlets), D Baker (Ospreys).
