CARDIFF, Wales- After surrendering 55 points a week ago to the Irish - it was much more composed and complete Canada side that held two leads against Wales before falling 34  - 13 to the reigning Six Nations champs in Cardiff in front of a crowd of 59,000 Friday night.

Canada took a 3-0 lead in the early going off a penalty kick from James Pritchard before Wales scored a try to take the lead 5-3 midway through the first half.

With just a few minutes until half Pritchard launched a monster kick in the closed roof stadium - hitting from 49 metres to retake the lead 6-5. Then just before the half - Leigh Halfpenny - on his debut scored a sparkling try - to put Wales into the change room at the interval with a less than certain 10-6 lead over Canada.

Canada was much more impressive and confident on the night compared to the rain soaked disaster in Limerick six days ago. The tackles were numerous and well thought out - defense organized - and rarely did Canada go to panic stations in open play - thwarting wave after wave of attacks with convincing tackles into touch.

In the second half the cracks appeared at times in the Canuck defense, but the real problems were in the scrum- where two penalty tries on the Canadian line showed where Wales was really putting the pressure on. With the score 27-6 Canada was still interested in playing some rugby and on the ensuing kick-off Calgary’s Ryan Smith stepped into a Welsh passing play at mid-field to race fifty metres for the try under the posts.

James Pritchard converted to bring the score to 27-13 - and this in turn invigorated the Canadians - who upped the tempo - creating break downs and consternation in the Welsh camp.

Near full time it was Halfpenny getting his second of the night for the dream debut - and a final score of 34-13 to Wales.

Tags: Rugby Canada, Welsh rugby

More than 41,000 tickets have already been snapped up for the Friday night Invesco Perpertual clash between Wales and Canada as the Millennium Stadium edges closer to a sell-out Autumn series.

The international clash against Australia on November the 29th has now been declared a sell out with tickets for the New Zealand game completely sold out several weeks ago.

That means the Canada clash is the last opportunity for supporters to get to a game to cheer on Warren Gatland’s team this Grand Slam year.

There has been a surge in Canada ticket sales following Saturdays sell out international between Wales and South Africa from fans anxious to savour the big game atmosphere live.

The international against Canada kicks off at 7.30pm on Friday with the remaining tickets for sale at £10 for juniors and £15 for adults.

Tickets can be ordered by phone from Ticketmaster on 08705 582582 or supporters can call Ticketline on 02920 230130 or call into their Westgate Street, Cardiff shop in person.

With the Canada match tickets selling at pace the Invesco Perpetual Autumn four match series is already assured of being watched live by more than a quarter of a million Millennium Stadium fans.

The Group Chief Executive of the WRU, Roger Lewis, said:”Ticket sales for all the autumn games have been amazing and the interest in the Canada match is building at pace.

“Welsh rugby fans know that the Canadians can prove formidable international opponents so we know we are in for a great game.

“The Canadians arrived in Wales on Sunday and they are really looking forward to savouring the Millennium Stadium atmosphere and I know our supporters will give them a great welcome.

“We have ensured the ticket prices for the Friday night game are very competitive and it will be a great rugby occasion for all the family.”

With tickets for Australia and New Zealand all sold out any supporter still hoping to buy one should contact their local Welsh rugby club just in case they have the luck to come across one that has become available at the last minute.

Tags: Rugby Canada, Welsh Rugby Union

Skipper Ryan Jones, Leigh Halfpenny and Tom Shanklin are the three players retained from Saturday’s 20-15 defeat by the world champion Springboks for Friday night’s second Invesco Perpetual 08 Series match against Canada at the Millennium Stadium.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has rung the changes for the Canadian challenge, including switching Jones across the back row from number six to No8.

That means Saturday’s Invesco Perpetual man-of-the-match Andy Powell moves to the bench after an impressive debut.

Scarlets scrum-half Martin Roberts is set to make his international debut in place of Dwayne Peel, but the most changes come up front where Scarlets flanker Dafydd Jones joins Blues flyer Robin Sowden-Taylor alongside Jones in the back row.

It’s all change in the front five with 2005 Grand Slam squad member John Yapp called into the squad to win his ninth cap following a two-year absence after Duncan Jones was ruled out with a foot injury.

Richard Hibbard and Rhys Thomas complete the front row while Ian Gough and Luke Charteris will pack down behind them.

There are five new starting faces behind the scrum with Mark Jones recovering from the knee injury that forced him out of contention against the Springboks.

He takes his place on the left wing as Wales’ record try-scorer Shane Williams is given a break, with Leigh Halfpenny winning his second cap on the other wing

James Hook picks up where they left off after replacing Stephen Jones at half-back and forms a new partnership with debutant Roberts.

Andrew Bishop joins Shanklin at centre in place of Jamie Roberts while Scarlet Morgan Stoddart starts at full-back in place of Lee Byrne.

“We have a short turn around before we face Canada and this was always going to be a game in which we tried to utilise our squad,” said Gatland.

“We have a chance to put defeat against South Africa behind us and really try to build some momentum before the All Blacks and the Wallabies come to town so we know what we need to achieve against Canada.

“It’s a real boost to have someone of Mark Jones credentials back available to us and we are also pleased to give Leigh Halfpenny a chance to get another cap under his belt with places still very much up for grabs in those positions.

“Tom Shanklin again gets the opportunity for further game time after coming in at a late stage last week and doing a great job and we are keen to see how that partnership goes with Andrew Bishop. Martin Roberts also has a chance to win his first cap and we are looking forward to seeing what he can offer us.

“Up front Duncan Jones has been carrying a foot injury so that has opened the door for John Yapp to join us and the likes of Luke Charteris and Robin Sowden-Taylor also have the chance to wear the red shirt and show us what they can do.

“There are many of changes from last week but we have maintained consistency by keeping Ryan in there as captain and we have some experience and impact players too on the bench.”

Osprey fly-half Dan Biggar and Sale prop Eifion Roberts all have the chance to win first caps for from the replacements bench and they are joined by experienced heads in Matthew Rees, Alun Wyn-Jones and Jamie Roberts alongside the impressive Powell.

Ospreys centre Gavin Henson was not considered for selection this week as the Wales coaching team await reports from a medical specialist in consultation about his Achilles injury.

WALES: Morgan Stoddart; Leigh Halfpenny, Tom Shanklin, Andrew Bishop, Mark Jones; James Hook, Martin Roberts; John Yapp, Richard Hibbard, Rhys Thomas, Ian Gough, Luke Charteris, Dafydd Jones, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Ryan Jones (Captain),

REPLACEMENTS:

Matthew Rees, Eifion Roberts, Alun-Wyn Jones, Andy Powell, Dwayne Peel, Dan Biggar, Jamie Roberts

Tags: Rugby Canada, Welsh rugby news