Gatland picks 39 for Wales warmup against England

CARDIFF, Wales (AP)—Wales coach Warren Gatland picked a 39-man squad Friday for next weekend’s World Cup warmup against England.

Flanker Jonathan Thomas, back row Andy Powell, prop Scott Andrews and hooker Ken Owens have all been included despite missing the second of two training camps in Poland.

Of the 35 players on that second trip, only back row Rob McCusker misses out because of a back problem. Center Gavin Henson makes the squad despite his lack of action over the past season.

“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,” Gatland said. “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.”

Wales plays at Twickenham on Aug. 6 before hosting the same opponent a week later. It then hosts Argentina in its final warmup.

Wales is in a first-round World Cup pool with defending champion South Africa.

Wales squad:

Forwards: Scott Andrews, Gethin Jenkins, Lloyd Burns, Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Adam Jones, Paul James, Ken Owens, Matthew Rees, Craig Mitchell, Bradley Davies, Sam Warburton, Martyn Williams, Luke Charteris, Danny Lydiate, Toby Faletau, Ryan Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Justin Tipuric, Josh Turnbull, Gareth Delve, Andy Powell.

Backs: Michael Phillips, Lloyd Williams, Tavis Knoyle, Jamie Roberts, James Hook, Jonathan Davies, Stephen Jones, Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams, Gavin Henson, Leigh Halfpenny, Lee Byrne, Aled Brew, Shane Williams, George North, Morgan Stoddart.