Powell and Thomas back with Wales

Venue: TwickenhamDate: Saturday, 6 AugustKick-off: 1430 BSTCoverage: Live commentary on BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru; highlights on BBC Sport website and on BBC Three (Saturday 1900-2000 BST) and on BBC Two (Sunday 1100-1200 BST) Jonathan Thomas and Andy Powell are two experienced Wales back-row players Andy Powell and Jonathan Thomas have been included in a 39-man Wales squad to face England at Twickenham on Saturday, 6 August.

The back-rowers were discarded from the party of 35 players who recently travelled to Poland for the second of two intensive training camps.

Blues prop Scott Andrews and Scarlets hooker Ken Owens, who also missed the trip to Spala, return as well.

Dwayne Peel is again unavailable, but could join the squad on 4 August.

The Sale Sharks scrum-half has been unable to join up with the rest of the players because English clubs have refused to release any Welsh player outside the designated International Rugby Board window.

But IRB rules state that all players must be released for national squad training and matches "at least 35 days before" the opening match of the 2011 World Cup.

English players have been released to the England squad under the terms of the agreement between the clubs and the Rugby Football Union.

The Welsh regions have a similar agreement with the Welsh Rugby Union.

Of the 35 players who trained at an Olympic facility in Poland for 10 days, only Scarlets flanker Rob McCusker will be unavaible for selcetion to face England. McCusker is struggling with a back problem.

Coach Warren Gatland will name the side on Thursday, 4 August for the first of three warm-up matches.

"The team to face England at Twickenham will be selected from this training squad," said Gatland.

"We have established a nucleus of players who will form our RWC squad based on their performances in training over recent weeks, but it is now time to translate those efforts onto the field.

"The players have worked hard, but places in that final World Cup squad are still very much up for grabs and a lot will depend on what we see over the course of these next three games."

After facing England at Twickenham, Wales will welcome Martin Johnson's side to the Millennium Stadium on 13 August, before ending their warm-up schedule by hosting Argentina in Cardiff seven days later.

"We have not shied away from facing the top quality opposition in preparation for this World Cup and it doesn't come much tougher than facing the 2003 World Cup winners and 2007 finalists on their home patch," added Gatland.

"The warm-up fixtures will be tough, but we are in a really tough group at the World Cup and replicating those conditions can, ultimately, only be of benefit to us."

Gatland must name his 30-man squad for September's World Cup in New Zealand by 22 August.

Wales open their campaign against defending champions South Africa on 11 September. The tournament begins with hosts New Zealand facing Tonga two days earlier.

Wales squad to face England on Saturday, 6 August (kick-off: 1430 BST):

Forwards: Scott Andrews, Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Lloyd Burns (Dragons), Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Adam Jones, Paul James (Ospreys), Ken Owens, Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), Bradley Davies, Sam Warburton, Martyn Williams (Blues), Luke Charteris, Danny Lydiate, Toby Faletau (Dragons), Ryan Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Josh Turnbull, (Scarlets), Gareth Delve (Melbourne Rebels), Andy Powell (Sale Sharks)

Backs: Michael Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Blues), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Blues), James Hook (Perpignan) Jonathan Davies, Stephen Jones, Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams (Scarlets) Gavin Henson (unattached), Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), Lee Byrne (Clermont Auvergne), Aled Brew (Dragons), Shane Williams (Ospreys), George North, Morgan Stoddart (Scarlets).

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'Toughened' Wales pleases Gatland

Venue: TwickenhamDate: Saturday, 6 AugustKick-off: 1430 BSTCoverage: Live commentary on BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru; highlights on BBC Sport website and on BBC Three (Saturday 1900-2000 BST) and on BBC Two (Sunday 1100-1200 BST) Gatland says Wales will be "fitter than ever" for the World Cup in New Zealand Improved mental toughness and fitness will ensure Wales will compete against the best teams at the 2011 World Cup, according to coach Warren Gatland.

As they gear up for the tournament, which starts in September, the Wales squad has attended two separate intensive training camps in Poland.

And Gatland believes the hard work will prove vital in New Zealand.

"It was tough physically, it was tough mentally and the players were pushed hard," Gatland told BBC Wales Sport.

"They responded extremely well. It was about building that mental toughness - something we've been criticised for [not posessing].

"We know we've got good footballers and they're in pretty good shape physically.

"But sometimes it's that mental edge that has cost us games in the past when we haven't quite switched on or had a little lapse in concentration or haven't quite nailed a critical moment in a game and it's been incredibly costly."

Gatland is a firm believer in the benefits of using the training facility in the remote village of Spala in Poland, having trained there while coach of Ireland and London Wasps.

The centre, which opened in 2000 and is used by many of Poland's Olympic athletes, has become synonymous with cryotherapy - the use of extreme low temperatures to accelerate recovery time and injury rehabilitation.

It's main purpose for Wales, said Gatland, was to allow him to cram as much training as possible into a short period of time.

"We were able to do more sessions with more intensity than we would have been able to do back here in Wales or at some other venue," said 47-year-old Gatland.

"It was tough physically, it was tough mentally and the players were pushed hard. They responded extremely well.

"It was nice to feel you were a club side and having a pre-season preparing for the start of the season."

The Wales squad have grown accustomed to the plush surroundings of a four-star hotel near their training base on the outskirts of Cardiff.

Their perceived pampered lifestyle has prompted groans of disapproval, especially from some past internationals, when results on the pitch have been poor.

But Gatland, who has been forced to deal with a spate of off-field controversies involving some squad members, says the players showed a faultless attitude and appetite for hard work.

"People might think we went to some flash resort, but it's definitely not like that at all," said the New Zealander, who is under contract until the 2015 World Cup.

Justin Tipuric's work ethic in training has caught Gatland's eye

"It's very basic in terms of the accommodation - one-star hotel stuff, but the facilities are excellent. Spala is in the middle of nowhere so there were no temptations.

"In fairness to the players, they called both camps to be dry so there was no drinking. We didn't go out and have a drink at all.

"The whole focus was rugby and just concentrating on that and preparing for the World Cup."

Gatland was also keen to stress the amount of skill work undertaken in Poland, and named Cardiff Blues scrum-half Lloyd Williams and Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric as two of the younger squad members to impress by showing "no inhibitions" and pushing some of the established faces.

The focus now turns to putting the theory into practice as Wales prepare for three warm-up games - home and away against England on 6 and 13 August, followed by Argentina's visit to Cardiff a week later.

Four years ago, Gatland's predecessor, Gareth Jenkins, saw his World Cup plans dismantle when his under-strength side crashed to a record 62-5 humiliation against England in their first warm-up match.

Jenkins' reign ended less than two months later when defeat by Fiji ended hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

"If you went and spoke to Gareth Jenkins he would say if he had his opportunity again he wouldn't pick the same side [against England]," added Gatland.

"We need to go up to Twickenham with a strong side. We need to give a good performance and build on that and get some confidence out of that first match."

Listen to more from Warren Gatland on BBC Radio Wales' The Back Page

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Powell keeps Wales World Cup hope

Sale Sharks back-row forward Andy Powell has won 17 Wales caps Andy Powell has not given up hope of forcing his way back into Wales coach Warren Gatland's World Cup plans.

The Sale Sharks back-rower was part of an initial 45-man squad that travelled to Spala in Poland for a training camp.

Powell was left out when the squad was trimmed for a second week but he said: "It's everybody's dream to be in a World Cup and if it does happen great.

"But my focus now is playing for Sale and the Welsh thing is at the back of my mind."

The 29-year-old was ommitted when Gatland cut the squad to the second training camp to 35, along with players like Cardiff Blues scrum-half Richie Rees and Ospreys forward Jonathan Thomas.

Powell does face tough back-row competition and it seems Ryan Jones, Dan Lydiate, Toby Faletau, Josh Turnbull, Rob McCusker and Justin Tipuric are ahead of him in the Wales pecking order.

But the coach did say: "The door is still very much open for those players who are not making this trip."

Powell, however, is now concentrating on his new club following his summer move from Wasps.

"We'll watch to see what the other boys, youngsters can do. It's an opportunity for them," said Powell.

"And for me it's just to go back up to Sale, train well and catch the coaches' eyes up there so they can give feedback to Gatland to say that I'm still training hard.

"But he was positive, he said 'keep going'... which is good from that perspective.

"England is coming up now [in] two weeks but all I can do is keep training hard and if it comes along I'll grasp it with two hands."

Wales go to Twickenham on 6 August to face England before a return Test in Cardiff the following Saturday, then complete their World Cup warm-up programme against Argentina on 20 August.

Gatland must then name his final 30-man squad for September's World Cup in New Zealand by 22 August.

Powell has not added to his 17 Wales caps since starting the 19-26 defeat to England in last season's Six Nations opener, where he suffered an injury early on.

"It was very frustrating, probably playing some of the best rugby I've played from the Lions up to that England game," Powell said.

"First 10 minutes taking a knock on the shoulder and probably not recovering from it for about six to eight weeks... it puts you back a few places.

"I was confident, I know my own ability and I work hard off the pitch to get myself back right."

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22 jobs go at Media Wales papers

16 July 2011 Last updated at 15:39 GMT The company said the redundancies came from economic challenges and difficult trading conditions Twenty-two full-time journalism jobs will go as part of restructuring plans at newspaper publisher Media Wales.

The company includes the Western Mail, South Wales Echo, Wales on Sunday and seven weekly titles in south Wales.

The company said the redundancies were part of changes "in the light of continuing economic challenges".

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) voiced its shock, and members have given their approval to organising a strike ballot.

Last September four editors who run weekly titles in the valleys were told their jobs were likely to go.

Media Wales said at the time that it planned to appoint an editor-in-chief to oversee senior staff to run titles, including the Merthyr Express, Pontypridd Observer, Rhondda Leader and Glamorgan Gazette.

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By proposing these changes we believe we will be better positioned to deliver first-class print and digital content to our readers and advertisers and to protect the Media Wales portfolio of local and regional newspapers”

End Quote Alan Edmunds Managing director, Media Wales In a statement on Friday Media Wales said the latest changes were part of the introduction of a single production team for news and features across the Western Mail, South Wales Echo, Wales on Sunday and all weekly titles.

The change will mean a reduction in the number of full-time jobs in the editorial production department, and result in the introduction of a new, part-time system, it said.

The company expects eight jobs to go from news production, 10 from the district offices and four from the sports department.

Production of the Celtic weekly titles will be restructured under the plans, while new sections for sport and "hyper-local news" will be introduced.

There will also be "an increased focus on community-generated content".

Alan Edmunds, managing director of Media Wales, said: "Media Wales continues to face tough economic challenges in 2011 and this trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

30-day consultation

"By proposing these changes we believe we will be better positioned to deliver first-class print and digital content to our readers and advertisers and to protect the Media Wales portfolio of local and regional newspapers."

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While recognising the especially challenging nature of the trading climate in Wales, it is] determined to do everything possible to protect the jobs, wages and conditions of its members, as well as the quality of our products”

End Quote National Union of Journalists Media Wales Mr Edmunds told staff in a statement that sales revenues had been driven down "and placed a considerable and increasing cost pressure on our business".

He added: "This combination of continually worsening trading conditions and its impact on our profit performance requires us to find new ways to operate more effectively to enable us to deliver an acceptable performance."

A 30-day consultation is due to end on 15 August.

Media Wales also publishes the Merthyr Express, Rhymney Valley Express, Gwent Gazette, Pontypridd Observer, Rhondda Leader, Glamorgan Gazette and Cynon Valley Leader, and closed two of its papers in 2009: the Neath and Port Talbot Guardians.

The NUJ chapel (branch) passed a resolution which said: "While recognising the especially challenging nature of the trading climate in Wales, it is determined to do everything possible to protect the jobs, wages and conditions of its members, as well as the quality of our products."

The chapel has also agree to immediate talks with management and backed the local NUJ committee "to take whatever action it sees fit in association with the union's national officers, including organising a strike ballot".

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Injured jockey returns to Wales

13 July 2011 Last updated at 11:29 GMT The racing fraternity is supporting Isabel Tompsett and her family A jockey who was seriously injured in a fall while competing in Norfolk has been transferred to a hospital near her Carmarthenshire home.

Isabel Tompsett, 28, from Llandeilo, suffered head injuries after she was thrown from her horse on 22 May.

Ms Tompsett, a champion amateur over jumps in the 2009 to 2010 season, was on life support at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.

She was moved to Neath Port Talbot Hospital on Tuesday.

Unconscious

Ms Tompsett was left unconscious after her mount, Leopold, rolled on her after falling heavily during the race at Fakenham racecourse.

After weeks in intensive care, she is no longer being medically sedated and is showing signs of improvement.

Her family and partner John Llewellyn have welcomed the transfer to the south Wales hospital on Tuesday.

"Isabel's mother Bridget received a call from Addenbrooke's yesterday morning to inform her that Isabel was going to be transferred that same day," said Injured Jockeys Fund chief executive Lisa Hancock.

"We weren't quite expecting it to happen this quickly, but it is great news that she will now be so much nearer to home.

"I understand that the Neath Port Talbot Hospital has a very good rehabilitation centre and it will enable Isabel to take the next step forward in her recovery."

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Wales' National Museum of Art

9 July 2011 Last updated at 05:46 GMT

For the first time, from old masters to contemporary installations, Wales' national art collection is being showcased under one roof. But rather than being housed in a brand new building, it will instead occupy part of the existing National Museum in Cardiff.

For Radio 4's Today programme, BBC arts correspondent Rebecca Jones travelled to Cardiff to take a guided tour, and meet the former Labour Culture Minister Kim Howells, who thinks Welsh art deserves more.

Continue reading the main story To see the enhanced content on this page, you need to have JavaScript enabled and Adobe Flash installed. Wales' National Museum of Art will open at the National Museum Cardiff from Saturday 9 July 2011.

All images and artwork subject to copyright. Music by KPM Music.

Slideshow production by Paul Kerley, Rebecca Jones and Dan McMillan. Publication date 8 July 2011.

Related:

National Museum Wales

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