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Euro 2020: Uncapped Rubin Colwill in Wales’ European Championship squad

Rubin Colwill
Rubin Colwill made six appearances for Cardiff City during the 2020-21 Championship campaign

Uncapped Cardiff City youngster Rubin Colwill is the surprise inclusion in Wales’ 26-man squad for Euro 2020.

Attacking midfielder Colwill, who only made his Cardiff debut in February, has been part of Wales’ training squad preparing for the finals.

The 19-year-old has been selected ahead of fellow forwards Tom Lawrence, Rabbi Matondo and Brennan Johnson.

“He’s been a breath of fresh air since he’s come in,” caretaker manager Robert Page said of Colwill.

“He really impressed me. He’s got presence, he’s got something we have not got in the middle of the park as well.

“He can play off the right, play as a 10 and he can play in midfield so that’s a bonus when we were looking to pick a squad.

“He blew us all away with how he was and how he conducted himself. He’s a top professional already and a great lad to have around the place.”

Wales begin their Euro 2020 campaign against Switzerland in Baku on 12 June and also face Turkey and Italy.

Captain Gareth Bale is the headline name in a squad which will be managed by Page, in the continued absence of Ryan Giggs.

Bale, who spent this season on loan at Tottenham from Real Madrid, was one of Wales’ stars at Euro 2016, when under Chris Coleman they reached the semi-finals in France.

Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen, Wayne Hennessey, Ben Davies, Jonny Williams, Danny Ward and Chris Gunter, who has won 100 caps, are also included.

Tottenham defender Davies missed the end of the Premier League season after suffering a calf injury in March, while the versatile Ethan Ampadu has also been included in the squad despite missing the end of his loan spell at Sheffield United because of a pelvic problem.

After Switzerland, Wales face Turkey in Baku on 16 June before completing the group stage with a game against Italy in Rome on 20 June.

Colwill’s inclusion is the major surprise in Page’s squad and marks a rapid rise for the attacking midfielder.

Having been at Cardiff since he was eight years old, he progressed full-time to the Bluebirds’ under-23 squad in July 2020 and was given his full debut by manager Mick McCarthy in the 3-1 Championship win over Coventry in February.

The Neath-born player earned his first call-up to Wales’ under-21 squad the following month and came on as a substitute to win his first cap in a 2-1 friendly defeat against the Republic of Ireland.

Colwill had been part of a 28-man training camp in Portugal, which veteran forward Hal Robson-Kanu had been left out of, while Cardiff midfielder Will Vaulks was again omitted.

Luton Town defender Tom Lockyer was also part of the training squad but, having missed the end of the season after having ankle surgery in April, he has not been included in the final squad with Newport County midfielder Josh Sheehan also missing out.

“I’ve had to make some tough decisions and there’s been some disappointed people around leaving the camp, which is not easy,” Page added.

“I said to the group after that they were the 26 lucky ones. We’ve got such a good group and they’re really tight together.

“If I could have taken 31 then I would have taken everyone because they’re all good characters.

“But that’s football unfortunately – we have to make these decision and move forward.”

Wales face world champions France in a friendly in Nice on Wednesday, 2 June before hosting Albania at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, 5 June – their final game before the finals.

Wales squad for Euro 2020

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Adam Davies.

Defenders: Chris Gunter, Ben Davies, Connor Roberts, Ethan Ampadu, Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon, James Lawrence, Neco Williams, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Ben Cabango.

Midfielders: Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen, Jonny Williams, Harry Wilson, Daniel James, David Brooks, Joe Morrell, Matt Smith, Dylan Levitt, Rubin Colwill.

Forwards: Gareth Bale, Kieffer Moore, Tyler Roberts.

Sourced From BBC

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