Gatland Trims World Cup Squad

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has begun trimming his squad ahead of the World Cup later this year. Jonathan Thomas, Andy Powell and Richie Rees are the highest profile omissions from the squad that will return to the training camp in Poland this week, as Wales continue their World Cup preparations. Also missing out on the squad will be young trio Ken Owens, Lou Reed and Andrew Bishop, as Gatland has whittled his squad from 45 down to 35. Stephen Jones will join up with the rest of the squad, after missing out on the first training camp to witness the birth of his first child.

The biggest surprise exclusion is that of 66-cap Thomas. The Ospreys forward has been a mainstay in the Welsh side for much of the past few years, including Wales' stunning 2008 Grand Slam winning side. Thomas missed only one of his country's Six Nations matches earlier this year, as well as playing an integral part in the Wales team during their autumn internationals against Australia, South Africa and Fiji, playing the full 80 minutes in all three matches. Those looking at the World Cup betting may have raised an eye brow at this decision.

Also missing out will be Cardiff Blues scrum half Rees, who was available for selection again after missing the entire Six Nations with suspension. Effective but erratic loose forward Powell has had a mixed year with injury and disciplinary problems, and those issues seem to have now scuppered his World Cup hopes after the former Wasps man was left at home. Fans of Betfair rugby wouldn't have been too shocked by this move.

The players left behind have been handed a thin olive branch with the chance they could still make Wales' summer warm-up games, with the World Cup still a small possibility. Being left out of any part of the next few weeks won't give the omitted players a huge amount of confidence of changing Gatland's mind but there is always the threat of injuries to the remaining members of the squad.