WALES HEAD COACH Warren Gatland has named an experienced 35-man squad which features no new caps for their upcoming Tests against England and New Zealand.
Toulon full-back Leigh Halfpenny hasn’t been included. Halfpenny has been sidelined with a cruciate knee ligament injury since a World Cup warm-up game against Italy last September.
The 27-year-old had been hoping to return to action for Toulon this season until he suffered a setback last month which required further surgery.
Despite sustaining injuries recently, both Alun Wyn Jones and Sam Warburton are named in the squad. Warburton is the only openside included, with Justin Tipuric ruled out due to concussion.
Wales will play England at Twickenham on 29 May, before departing for New Zealand to take on the All Blacks on 11, 18 and 25 June.
Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Ospreys) Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Josh Turnbull (Cardiff Blues), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, captain).
Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Matthew Morgan (Bristol), Tom James (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Why on earth do Wales not select James Davies. The man turns the ball over for the fun of it and is very good in the loose also. Gives every team a headache everytime I’ve seen him play. Probably the best 7 in the pro12.
A strange one given the absence of tipuric alright. Still, wales have a very good back row. When tipuric and warburton are fit they’ve two of Europes best out and out 7s (ie classic ruck merchants).
Playing England on the 29th of May… what is this madness? The 6N is only finished a month and they have a three test series against NZ to follow, this coming on the back of a world cup season and news that there are no tests scheduled beyond 2019 because the calender is already too full. The WRU is so cloyingly desperate for money that you’d hope the players keep an eye on their grannies, lest they’re sold for a few bob.
They seem to always have an extra game in the autumn as well, which creates trouble for players based in England and France. I’d personally prefer more internationals and fewer club games, but the reality is that English and French clubs are too powerful and will never reduce the length of their seasons
No Sam Davies?
As good as he is, he’s not even a banker to start for Ospreys. So it’s an understandable absence.
Not sure that makes sense. The best two players could be at one region. The only question is whether Davies would be a better option than one of Priestland or Anscombe. I suppose it’s understandable that Gatland has gone for the established players
It will be interesting to see if, as new All Black captain, Kieran Reid has fully learnt the official World Rugby cheat codes by heart.
Now that’s just bitter
Tongue firmly in cheek, apologies if it didn’t come across that way!
Agree with extra game comments. We stand the risk of driving these players into the ground.