Wales Player Biographies

Following are brief biographies of the Welsh World Cup squad (ages correct at start of tournament):

GRAHAM HENRY (coach). Led Auckland to Super 12 titles in 1996 and 1997 and a year later, after being passed over for the All Black job, was snapped up by Wales on a five-year deal worth a reputed 2 million pounds ($3.20 million). His unpretentious honesty made him an instant hit and the way he has turned Wales from rank outsiders to contenders has taken him close to hero status. Crowds queued up to buy his autobiography when it was released in September.

SHANE HOWARTH. Fullback. Age 31. Height 1.75m. Weight 90kg. Caps: 12 (plus four for New Zealand). The former All Black made his Wales debut in 1998 and immediately added class, confidence and stability to the number 15 shirt. Played under Graham Henry for five years at Auckland before brief spell playing rugby league in Australia.

NEIL BOOBYER. Fullback/centre. Age 27. 1.80m. 83kg. Caps: Seven. One of three brothers currently playing for Llanelli, can play in virtually any position in the backs. Appeared at fullback for Wales XV against the United States in August and is likely to cover Howarth, given Wales' strength at centre.

GARETH THOMAS. Wing. Age 25. 1.87m. 104kg. Caps: 36. Another versatile player who has 10 caps at centre but has made his mark on the right wing with a string of consistent performances. Scored four tries in 60-21 victory over Italy last year after scoring a hat-trick on his debut against Japan in the 1995 World Cup. Not the fastest winger in the world but one of the strongest.

DAFYDD JAMES. Wing. 20. Age 23. 1.90m. 91kg. Caps: 20. Showed good pace and finishing to score Wales's only try in the August victory over France and looks a certain starter on the left wing. Has scored tries in five of last 10 appearances.

ALLAN BATEMAN. Wing/centre. Age 34. 1.75m. 89kg. Caps: 20. The veteran British Lion made his reputation in rugby league before returning to union in 1996. Great tackler with an eye for a try but with, centre spots seemingly sewn up, more likely to feature as a reluctant winger.

NICK WALNE. Wing. Age 24. 1.93m. 98kg. Caps: Three. After two appearances as replacement, made his first start against Canada in August and scored a try in 33-19 victory. Unlikely to start.

MARK TAYLOR. Centre. Age 27. 1.85m. 87kgs. Caps: 16. Powerful runner and solid tackler who was outstanding in Wales's 29-19 victory over South Africa in June. Scored first try in that game, the first at the new Millenium Stadium. Forms a formidable centre partnership with Swansea team mate Scott Gibbs.

SCOTT GIBBS. Centre. Age 28. 1.75m. 98kg. Caps: 41. Made debut back in 1991, playing in the World Cup that year, before switching successfully to rugby league, winning honours with St Helens. Moved back to union in 1996 and was named man of the series in the British Lions 1997 tour of South Africa. Devastating tackler, certainly one of the very best in the game, and able to blast through opposing defences. Assured folk hero status throughout Wales after dramatic last-gasp try to beat England in Five Nations at Wembley this year.

LEIGH DAVIES. Centre. Age 22. 1.90m. 100kg. Caps: 19. Made debut as a teenager in 1996 but has struggled to force his way past the first-choice centres.

JASON JONES-HUGHES. Age 23. 1.91m. 103kg. Caps: None. Student. Born and brought up in Australia where he played at every junior international level and for the Australian Barbarians. At the centre of a tug-of-war between Australia and Wales -- the land of his father -- with the IRB deciding in September he could play for Wales. Has struggled for a first-team place at New South Wales this season.

NEIL JENKINS. Flyhalf. Age 28. 1.77m. 84kg. Caps: 69. Impossible to exaggerate the importance of his outstanding goalkicking. Current points tally of 879 (including 41 for the Lions), just 32 behind world record holder Michael Lynagh of Australia. Equalled the world record for penalties in a match with nine against France in August. Transferred in the summer from his home club Pontypridd to Cardiff for a Welsh record fee. After being alternated between flyhalf and fullback, now firmly settled at number 10. Not the sharpest flyhalf runner and passer but, given the game's reliance on penalty goals, probably the most valuable.

STEPHEN JONES. Flyhalf. Age 21. 1.88m. 89kg. Caps: Two. Young pretender to Jenkins's crown. Tall for a flyhalf but mobile and strong.

ROB HOWLEY (captain). Scrumhalf. Age: 29 (30 on Oct 13). 1.77m. 84kg. Caps: 35. Despite playing in a struggling Wales team, Howley emerged as the best scrumhalf in Britain in the mid 1990s but a shoulder injury against Natal robbed him of a place in the 1997 British Lions' test team in South Africa. Back to his best, he is a good decision-maker and has a strong pass. Has skippered Wales to eight successive victories.

DAVID LLEWELLYN. Scrumhalf. Age 28. 1.75m. 89kg. Caps: Three. Has become Howley's main back-up but has only three appearances as a replacement. Played in Wales XV victory over U.S.

SCOTT QUINNELL. Number eight. Age 27. 1.93. 117kg. Caps: 30. Another tough tackler and immensely strong player who honed his skills during a two-year sojourn in rugby league at Wigan. Returned to union in 1997 but had to return early from Lions tour with serious groin injury.

BRETT SINKINSON. Flanker. Age 27. 1.82m. 96kg. Caps: Seven. Another Kiwi who qualifies for Wales through a grandparent. Has stiffened up the back row, witnessed by his record of seven appearances, seven wins. Usually wears a scrumcap.

COLIN CHARVIS. Flanker. Age 26. 1.90m. 105kg. Caps: 23. Versatile and good going forward, has played in all three back row positions for Wales. Born in England, qualifies through a grandparent.

MARTYN WILLIAMS. Flanker. Age 24. 1.87m. 100kg. Caps: 11. Capped at every junior level before full debut in 1996. Captained Wales XV against U.S and seen as possible senior captain of the future.

GERAINT LEWIS. Flanker. Age 24. 1.75m. 83kg. Caps: Four. Flexible back rower. Debut in 1998 as replacement against South Africa and played in both wins in Argentina. Good cricketer.

CRAIG QUINNELL. Lock. Age 24. 1.98m. 125kg. Caps: 17. Enormous, shaven-headed, aggressive brother of Scott who too often mars often awesome displays with indiscipline and brawling.

CHRIS WYATT. Lock. Age 26. 1.95m. 107kg. Caps: 14. Made his debut last year and after a superb season was voted Welsh player of the year. Superb in the lineout. Has also represented his country at fishing and volleyball.

MIKE VOYLE. Lock. Age 29. 1.98m. 107kg. Caps: 19. A regular member of the Welsh second row from 1996-98 but is now more likely to be seen on the replacements bench.

GARETH LLEWELLYN. Lock. Age 30. 2.00m. 108kg. Caps: 63. Veteran who made his debut 10 years ago. Former captain who played for Wales alongside brother Glyn.

ANDY MOORE. Lock. Age 25. 2.00m. 117kg. Caps: Eight. After making his debut in 1995 has twice had to undergo surgery for knee injuries but has fought his way back into the international reckoning.

PETER ROGERS. Prop. Age 30. 1.82m. 106kg. Caps: Eight. Made his debut in this year's victory in Paris and has been in the winning side of every one of his appearances. Mastered the front row art in South Africa and now a vital part of a strong-looking Welsh scum.

DAVID YOUNG. Prop. Age 32. 1.85m. 113kg. Caps: 35. Seemingly around for ever after making his debut as teenager in the 1987 World Cup. Won 14 caps before turning to rugby league for six years. A British Lion in 1989 and 1997, he is a prop of the old school.

BEN EVANS. Prop. Age 24. 1.90m. 119kg. Caps: Seven. One of the biggest props in the game but by no means immobile. Replacement material at the moment but a likely first-choice soon.

ANDY LEWIS. Prop. Age 26. 1.77m. 105kg. Caps: 18. Injury has caused him to be in and out of the front row and although he was ever-present in last year's Five Nations he is back to replacement status.

GARIN JENKINS. Hooker. Age 32. 1.72m. 103kg. Caps: 46. Wales's most-capped hooker and pack-leader. Worked down the mines after leaving school but now earns his money at rugby's coal face where he is respected throughout the game.

JONATHAN HUMPHREYS. Hooker. Age 30. 1.82m. 105kg. Caps: 32. Forced his way past Jenkins to become first-choice hooker and regular captain but slipped out of favour in 1997. Now vying with Jenkins for the number two shirt, with either of the experienced duo sure to offer reliable service.

Reuters contributed to this report.