Warburton captains Wales at Cup

Warburton relishes Cup task

Wales have named Sam Warburton, 22, to lead them at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Martyn Williams is omitted after winning his 99th cap while leading Wales to a 28-13 win over Argentina on Saturday.

Prop Gethin Jenkins goes despite not having played since January due to toe and calf problems.

Likewise Stephen Jones is included having not appeared in Wales' August warm-ups against England and the Pumas.

Wales coach Warren Gatland admits taking loose-head prop Jenkins to a tournament in which they face South Africa, Samoa, Fiji and Namibia is a risk.

Jenkins underwent toe surgery in January and did not figure in any of Wales' August games because of a calf problem.

"He could potentially be fit for us for the first game against South Africa," said Gatland.

"We're looking perhaps at the game against Samoa, bringing him in and hoping he's going to be alright for that.

"He is an important, quality player - we're taking a little bit of a risk on Gethin, but we know how good he is."

There is also no place for controversial scrum-half omission Dwayne Peel, of Sale.

Hooker Richard Hibbard also misses out after suffering an ankle injury in Wales' win over Argentina.

Cardiff Blues openside Warburton is Wales' youngest World Cup captain.

His chance to do so comes after hooker Matthew Rees was ruled out with a neck problem.

Warburton's arrival at Test level signalled the beginning of the end of veteran fellow Blue Martyn Williams' Test career and he leads Wales into the tournament having led his country only three times.

Williams' only chance of winning a 100th cap would come if Wales need injury cover during the tournament.

Gatland said: "If we had gone 17-13 [forward-backs] on the split we would have taken two sevens.

"We think we've got not a bad seven who's leading the side at the moment.

"We think he's world class and I think Martyn's well aware of that."

Gatland acknowledges having only one openside specialist at his disposal is also something of a risk, but said: "We feel Dan Lydiate can cover there if there was an injury during a match.#

"And if Sam gets a serious injury then we are going to have to look at a replacement."

Scarlets fly-half Jones pulled out ahead of Wales' 23-19 defeat by England on 6 August at Twickenham with a calf injury.

Gatland explains Cup choices

He also withdrew from Wales' bench ahead of the win over the Pumas, but goes to a fourth World Cup.

Lee Byrne is the only specialist full-back in the squad that includes once-capped scrum-half Lloyd Williams, the son of former Wales and British and Irish Lion Brynmor.

Lloyd Williams came off the bench against the Pumas having played in the Barbarians' win over Wales in June.

Wales were unable to consider injury victims Morgan Stoddart and Gavin Henson for the tournament.

Preliminary tournament squad members Scott Andrews, Jonathan Thomas, Justin Tipuric, Josh Turnbull and Gareth Delve also also failed to make Gatland's party.

WALES 2011 RUGBY WORLD CUP SQUAD

Forwards: Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Lloyd Burns (Dragons), Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Adam Jones, Paul James (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Craig Mitchell (Exeter), Bradley Davies, Sam Warburton (Blues, capt), Luke Charteris, Danny Lydiate, Toby Faletau (Dragons), Ryan Jones, Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Andy Powell (Sale Sharks).

Backs: Michael Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Blues), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Blues), James Hook (Perpignan), Jonathan Davies, Stephen Jones, Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), Lee Byrne (Clermont Auvergne), Aled Brew (Dragons), Shane Williams (Ospreys), George North (Scarlets).

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Wales to DNA 'barcode' plants

Will DNA barcoding help conserve the rare plants of Wales?
Wales is set to be the first country to produce a DNA barcode for every one of its native flowering plants, scientists claim.

The Barcode Wales project will aim to catalogue all 1,143 species of native flowing plant based on each plant's unique gene sequence.

This would mean that the tiniest fragment of leaf or pollen grain could be used to identify any plant in Wales.

It would also allow scientists to better understand the plants' genetics.

The information will help biologists to track the status of pollinating insects, such as bees.

And the database itself could be used to test the authenticity of Welsh products, including honey, and help identify plant fragments in forensic examinations.

Dr Natasha de Vere from the National Botanic Garden of Wales is leading the study along with her colleagues, Dr Tim Rich from the National Museum of Wales, and Professor Mike Wilkinson from Aberystwyth University.

The team is taking on the substantial task of collecting samples from every species of Welsh flora.

Using a combination of freshly picked plants and dried specimens housed in the National Museum Wales collections, they have gathered examples of all of Wales' "floral heritage".

The scientists have extracted and sequenced a section of the DNA code from each plant.

Dr de Vere explained that, to identify species with DNA barcoding, scientists look specifically at its genes. These are chunks of DNA that code for the protein material that makes up the plant - the plant's "building blocks".

"Because [these segments of] DNA have important functions, they should be the same across all the plants of one species, but they will differ between species," she said.

The unique gene sequences can be used as identifiers or barcodes.

The barcodes can then be compared to other plant barcodes from across the world, held in the international Barcode of Life Database (Bold).

"The patterns in DNA can show how individuals are related to each other, where they have come from and who is reproducing with who," said Dr de Vere.

"Conservation genetics is about looking at the DNA of a species in order to answer questions that will help to conserve it."

Spice of life

The natural differences between individuals of the same species, or genetic variation, allows a species to adapt to different environments.

Barcoding the spreading bellflower may help answer the debate over its origin

Little to no variation in genes shows that all breeding individuals live in a similar niche environment. So a lack of variation is likely to make a species more vulnerable to changes in climate or in the environment it has adapted to.

The team is able to assess the genetic variation within the Welsh plants by looking at the differences in the areas of DNA that do not contain genes, the non-coding DNA.

These regions vary within a species, giving each individual a unique profile.

"We are currently working on the spreading bellflower, a critically endangered plant that has declined throughout Wales," explained Dr de Vere.

"We are looking at the DNA of plants now and comparing them to plants 100 years ago by extracting DNA from herbarium specimens."

By comparing the DNA barcodes of modern day plants with specimens from the Natural History Museum of Wales, the team will be able to determine if plants are losing their genetic variation.

The results of the Barcode Wales project are due to be published this summer; the findings will be used to establish tailored conservation programmes for Welsh plants.

The scientists hope eventually to extend the project to include the rest of the UK.

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William and Kate to visit Wales

24 February 2011 Last updated at 11:26 GMT It is the couple's first official engagement in Wales - and only their second since announcing they will wed in April Crowds are gathering to witness the first official engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton in Wales.

The couple, who have a home on Anglesey, are the guests of honour at an event to name a new RNLI lifeboat at Trearddur Bay.

It is the second official engagement the pair have carried out since announcing they will marry on 29 April.

Well-wishers are already lining the dockside in the hope of glimpsing the couple.

Lisa Taylor, 42, from Valley on Anglesey, said: "I think it's fantastic. The work the RNLI do around here is vital.

"To have such high-profile guests is great for them.

"It's going to be wonderful to see William and Kate. Really exciting."

Continue reading the main story

It's very gusty here at Trearddur Bay. Will it play havoc with katemiddleton's locks?”

End Quote Peter Hunt Royal Correspondent Claire James, from Chester, was accompanied by her three children - Charlie, 10, Beau, eight, and seven-year-old Sam.

She said: "I am very excited. My daughter wants to ask if they want a spare bridesmaid - she will step in!"

RNLI chief executive Paul Boissier said he was delighted to welcome William and Kate.

The Atlantic 85 inshore boat will be named Hereford Endeavour, and the couple will meet RNLI crew members and volunteers.

'Proud history'

"We have a proud history of royal patronage and are honoured that Prince William and Miss Middleton will be continuing that tradition," said Mr Boissier.

Thursday's ceremony takes place a few miles from RAF Valley, where William is stationed as a search and rescue helicopter pilot.

Christopher Pritchard, senior helmsman at Trearddur Bay, said: "Having Prince William and Miss Middleton name our new lifeboat is especially significant to us.

"As Prince William is a pilot with the RAF search and rescue force just down the road at RAF Valley, we also welcome him as a colleague who works with us to save lives at sea."

During the engagement, the royal couple are due to meet RNLI volunteers who funded the new boat at the charity's branches at Leominster and across Herefordshire.

Preparations on Thursday morning ahead of the visit

The boat, the most advanced inshore rescue vessel produced by the RNLI, will also be put through its paces for the royal party and guests.

The presence of the prince and his bride-to-be has generated intense interest on the island, with large crowds of onlookers expected to descend on the seaside village in the hope of catching a glimpse of the couple.

It is only the second official duty together since the couple announced their engagement. The first was attending a Teenage Cancer Trust event in Norfolk in December.

The visit to Anglesey will be swiftly followed by an engagement at their old university St Andrews on Friday to launch an appeal.

Stephen Peters, who works in his family's garage in the village, said the visit had created a real buzz in the area.

"A lot of people have been talking about it and will be visiting," he added

"The children are off school and my niece wants to go - they're excited about seeing a prince."

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'Smoke-free society' aim in Wales

24 February 2011 Last updated at 11:27 GMT The chief medical officer wants to start a "debate" on smoking in cars carrying children Plans have been unveiled to dramatically reduce smoking levels in Wales with the ultimate goal of a "smoke-free society".

Playgrounds and all NHS property could be made smoke-free zones, as the assembly government aims to reduce smoking levels to 16% by 2020.

Around a quarter of adults in Wales smoke.

The chief medical officer also wants to start a "debate" on smoking in cars carrying children.

Dr Tony Jewell said: "Just as Wales took a bold step in creating smoke-free environments in public places, we recognise that the time is right to champion new approaches to further protect children from the harms of second-hand smoke.

"The plan proposes that local authorities will be encouraged to introduce smoke-free policies for playgrounds and to initiate a debate on smoking in cars carrying children.

"The NHS should set an example when it comes to creating smoke-free environments and supporting staff to quit smoking.

"The NHS should also encourage patients to stop smoking, particularly before elective surgery."

Continue reading the main story Leadership in tobacco control Reducing the uptake of tobacco use, especially among children and young peopleReducing smoking prevalence levelsReducing exposure to second-hand smokeWales brought in a ban on smoking in enclosed public places in April 2007.

The assembly government does not have the powers to ban smoking in cars with children but is keen to raise the issue.

Its new plans are outlined in a consultation to reduce smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke.

Proposals include lobbying the UK government on issues such as increasing the price of tobacco through taxation, and continuing to discourage children from smoking.

The consultation says smoking continues to be the largest single preventable cause of ill health and premature death in Wales, causing around 5,650 deaths each year.

Dr Jewell wants to protect children from second-hand smoking at home and in cars after speaking out on the issue last year.

"Reducing children's exposure to second-hand smoke will help to protect the most vulnerable in society and promoting smoke-free cars carrying children will bring home to parents the risks of smoking in front of their own children," he said.

"Children are not able to protect themselves from this exposure and it must be shown to be a serious public health risk through the development of legal protections, where appropriate, and policy initiatives."

Simon Clark, director of smoking rights pressure group Forest, said he would be "strongly opposed to any further restrictions on smoking in public places".

"There is no justification on health grounds for banning smoking in the open air. To ban smoking in hospital grounds would be very unfair on patients, staff and visitors," he said.

"The war on tobacco has gone far enough. I'm sure the Welsh assembly has better things to do than to target smokers."

Anti-smoking charity Ash Wales welcomed the proposals.

"This is an historic day for public health in Wales and the best news since the smoking ban was introduced in 2007," said Ash Wales chief executive, Tanya Buchanan.

"The action plan is the first such strategic plan for Wales which aims to systematically address smoking prevalence rates which have stagnated at 24%, and ensure our young people are protected from second-hand smoke."

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