Eli Walker gets Wales call up

Slick-running Ospreys winger Eli Walker has been named in the Wales‘ Six nations squad by interim coach Rob Howley today.
The 20-year-old has been impressive so far this season with his pace and try-scoring record to set himself as the heir of Shane Williams in the Swansea-based club.
Walker is one of five new faces added to the squad which include Cardiff Blues No. 8 South Africa-born Andries Pretorius who qualified for Wales through residency last month.
Pretorius is joined in the 35-man squad by clubmate Josh Navidi, Ospreys lock James King and Newport-Gwent Dragons lock Andrew Coombs.
Australia-born King and Coombs have been given a chance after Wales were hit by a second row injury crisis that ruled out Alun Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris.
Back-rower Ryan Jones was also included in the squad despite him being a doubt for the opening two matches against Ireland and France after he dislocated a thumb in the Ospreys match against Leicester at the weekend.
Full-back Lee Byrne returns to the Welsh squad since the World Cup after consistently excellent performances for Clermont in the Heineken Cup and Top 14.
Prop Adam Jarvis is another absentee, but his loss is offset by the return of Lion Adam Jones, who along with last year’s player of the tournament Dan Lydiate, is hopeful of some game-time after both missed the autumn internationals.
“We have put together a very experienced squad and complimented that by rewarding the in-form players with a call-up,” Howley said. “The players in the squad have been playing really well and we have been pleased with their individual performances.
“We have a group of players who know how to win big matches and have experienced success. We are adding to that, players who have stood out and performed well for the regions this season.”
Wales kick off the defence of their Six Nations crown in the tournament’s opening match, at home to Ireland on Febraury 2. They then face France in Paris a week later, before travelling to Rome to take on Italy on February 23. They have a third away fixture to Scotland on March 9, before they wrap up their tournament at home to England in the penultimate match of the tournament.
Wales squad:
Backs: Lee Byrne (Clermont Auvergne), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Eli Walker (Ospreys), George North (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), James Hook (Perpignan), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues).
Forward: Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), Adam Jones (Ospreys) Paul James (Bath), Gethin Jenkins (Toulon), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Ryan Jones (Ospreys) Lou Reed (Cardiff Blues), Ian Evans (Ospreys), James King (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Andries Pretorius (Cardiff Blues).