WALES COACH WARREN Gatland has named his 31-man squad for next month’s Rugby World Cup.
Alex Cuthbert is in the panel despite doubts over his inclusion following a succession of underwhelming performances but Gareth Anscombe misses out due to an ankle injury he sustained in training.
The other players to be overlooked are Ross Moriarty, Rob Evans, Scott Andrews, Kristian Dacey, Tyler Morgan and Eli Walker.
Gatland has somewhat unexpectedly included Cory Allen despite the 22-year-old not appearing in any of the warm-up fixtures.
But the decision to name just two hookers - Scott Baldwin and Ken Owens – is even more surprising while there are five locks included with fitness concerns over Alun Wyn Jones.
Cardiff Blues flanker Sam Warburton will once again captain the side as they look to improve on their fourth-placed finish four years ago.
Wales play one final warm-up fixture against Italy next weekend before beginning their Pool A campaign against Uruguay on 20 September.
Wales squad:
Forwards: Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Dominic Day (Bath), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues).
Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Ospreys), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Scott Williams (Scarlets Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Matthew Morgan (Bristol), George North (Northampton Saints), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
Have Wales announced their World Cup failure excuses yet?
Not yet, I’m sure Gatland is preparing it as we speak.
Their RWC record is a lot better than ours.
Think it’s a little early to start crowing Peter, especially as they provided a template for beating this Irish side.
This Wales squad is still strong enough for Fiji to have to take them seriously
is hibbard injured??
no just dropped. a weird one
Rumour has it that he and Phillips might have said a thing or two after the defeat to Ireland in Cardiff. They were then dropped outright.
47% is not good enough