There are a host of returning and new faces in the Wellington Lions' wider training squad for 2012, with a number of players returning from overseas and new faces proving their worth from Wellington's exciting Premier club rugby competition.

36 players will take another step closer to this year's ITM Cup competition as they head away on a camp, held in Otaki, this Monday. Head coach Chris Boyd confirmed these players will be vying for a spot in his final squad of almost 30 to be announced on Monday 20^th August before the sides opening ITM Cup encounter with Manawatu on Friday 24^th August.

Of those returning faces 49 cap veteran, Ross Filipo will be eager to pull on a Lions jersey and bring up his 50^th cap after spending three years abroad playing in France and England. Also on the list to return from overseas with the prospect of pulling on a Wellington jersey are first five-eighth Fa'atonu Fili and lock Lua Lokotui who were both in Japan, Tomasi Palu who was playing in Romania and Genesis Mamea who has been playing club rugby in Italy.

Among the new faces to emerge in this group from Wellington's premier club competitions include Mamea's cousin Faatau Mamea (Wainuiomata), Liu Taituave (Marist St Pats) and Deon Carney (Hutt Old Boys Marist). All three featured in the City versus Suburbs match held in May and will be new caps in the Wellington Lions environment if they make it through to the final squad.

Within the 36 strong group at the camp will be five of Wellington's representatives in the New Zealand under 20s side and 15 Super Rugby players. Also heading to the camp are TJ Perenara and Lima Sopoaga. Both players, along with Brad Shields who is recovering from knee surgery, will play an active role within the team until their return especially in the area of opposition team analysis.

The Wellington Lions Wider Training Squad for next week's camp is as follows: