Neil Jenkins Supports Wales A Team

Welsh legend Neil Jenkins has hinted he would be in favour of a Wales A team.

The current national team kicking coach said: "It would be nice to have an A team.
"I know England play so many games a year with it, and go to the Churchill Cup. Its up to the WRU to decide."

All of the other nations who make up the Six Nations field A teams, including the Italians, and it gives players an extra stepping-stone before entering the caldron of senior international rugby.

Johnny Sexton is the latest success story to emerge from this level. He had a fantastic season last year with his province, helping Leinster lift the Heineken Cup with a decisive penalty in the final to defeat Leicester. In the summer he was called upon by Ireland A as they went onto lift the Churchill Cup.

After appearances against the likes of England Saxons - their equivalent to an A team - and the senior sides of Argentina, USA, Canada and Georgia, Sexton ended November in possession of the full Ireland outside-half spot, ahead of Ronan O'Gara, aided by his experience in international rugby’s second tier.

Kristian Phillips has had to drop down to the Wales under 20 team having been released by Warren Gatland, alongside players who have yet to even feature for their province.

Meanwhile Shane Geraghty, who has been dropped by Martin Johnson after some unconvincing displays in the autumn, has the opportunity to impress and re-establish himself in the Saxons squad - an opportunity he took with 12 points, including a try in the win against Ireland A in Bath last Sunday (Jan 31).

Wales last put out an A side in 2002 and scraped it in 2003 due to financial reasons.