Wales 26-man squad revealed – includes shock inclusion of Rubin Colwill
Rubin Colwill of Cardiff City in action against Taff's Well. Cardiff City v Taffs Well at USW Sports Park in the Nathanial MG Cup on the 11th December 2020 Credit: Lewis Mitchell/YCPD
Wales manager Rob Page has announced the 26-man squad which will take on Italy, Switzerland, and Turkey at EURO 2020.
There is a first senior call-up for Cardiff City starlet Rubin Colwill, who is the shock inclusion after being fast-tracked to the senior squad after one appearance with the Under-21s.
“He’s just been a breath of fresh air since he came in,” said Page when explaining his left-field call-up which has left many shocked.
“I’ve known about him for a few weeks. He’s played Championship football with Cardiff. I’ve seen him on a couple of occasions and he’s really impressed me.
“He’s got a presence. Something that maybe we’ve not got in the middle of the park as well. He can play off the right, play as a ten. He can play midfield. So that’s a bonus when you’re looking at picking a squad.”
Aaron Ramsey, Ben Davies, Chris Gunter, Danny Ward, Joe Allen, Jonny Williams and Gareth Bale who played at EURO 2016 are in the squad.
There was no place however for Derby County’s 23-time capped Tom Lawrence, Luton Town’s Tom Lockyer who has 12 Wales appearances, or Stoke City’s Rabbi Matondo, who were all a part of the 28-man training squad in Portugal.
Commenting on his final squad, Page said: “It’s not easy. I’ve had to make some tough decisions today. There’s some disappointed people leaving the camp, which isn’t easy. I said to the group afer that they were the 26 lucky ones.
“We’ve got such a good group. They’re really tight together.
“It’s been a tough day, but that’s football and we have to make tough decisions.“
“He’s just been a breath of fresh air since he came in.
“I’ve know about him for a few weeks. He’s played Championship football with Cardiff. I’ve seen him on a couple of occasions and he’s really impressed me.
“He’s got a presence. Something that maybe we’ve not got in the middle of the park as well. He can play off the right, play as a ten. He can play midfield. So that’s a bonus when you’re looking at picking a squad.”
Wales will take on Switzerland on June 12 in Baku, before facing Turkey four days later also in Azerbaijan. They wrap up the group stage against EURO favourites Italy in Rome on June 20.
Wales’ Euro 2020 squad in full:
Wayne Hennessey, Adam Davies, Danny Ward.
Ben Davies, Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham, Ethan Ampadu, Connor Roberts, James Lawrence, Neco Williams, Ben Cabango, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Chris Gunter.
Aaron Ramsey, Matt Smith, Joe Morrell, Joe Allen, Jonny Williams, Dylan Levitt, Rubin Colwill.
Kieffer Moore, David Brooks, Harry Wilson, Daniel James, Tyler Roberts, Gareth Bale.
