Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt has named his 33-man squad for their upcoming tour of Japan, with Dewi Lake named as captain.
The Ospreys hooker served as co-captain alongside Jac Morgan for the 2023 World Cup and also led Wales as captain for last year’s tour of Australia and the Autumn Nations Series.
Sherratt has also named six uncapped players in his wider squad as the team go in search of their first Test victory since the World Cup.
Dewi Lake leads 33-man Wales squad
Cardiff’s Liam Belcher, Dragons’ Chris Coleman, Ospreys trio Keelan Giles, Reuben Morgan-Williams and Garyn Phillips and Scarlets back Macs Page are all in contention to win their maiden Test caps on the two-Test tour, and are among a squad of 19 forwards and 14 backs.
Elsewhere, Kieran Hardy, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, James Ratti, Johnny Williams and Cameron Winnett all return to the side.
But, they will be without the services of four key men, in the form of Dafydd Jenkins, Henry Thomas, Will Rowlands and Adam Beard. Exeter lock Jenkins will have elective surgery, Thomas is seeking specialist medical advice on a long-term condition, while Rowlands and Beard will both be rested this summer.
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Commenting on his selection, Sherratt said: “I’m excited to get the players together in camp to begin preparations for our summer campaign. I think there’s a good blend of experience and young talent selected and that this group has a lot of potential.
“Going to Japan this July is a challenge the coaches and I are relishing. We are expecting a fierce contest from Japan in these Test matches.
“Over the next few weeks in camp, it’s about working hard, getting all our prep right on and off the pitch and gelling together as a group.”
This news also comes after Wales unveiled their coaching ticket for the tour, with Sherratt joined by Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, T. Rhys Thomas and Danny Wilson.
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Wales will face Eddie Jones’ Japan in a two-Test series in July, with the first Test taking place at the Mikuni World Stadium in Kitakyushu on July 5, and the second at Noevir Stadium in Kobe on July 12.
Wales 33-man squad in full
Forwards: Keiron Assiratti, Liam Belcher, Ben Carter, Chris Coleman, Elliot Dee, Taulupe Faletau, Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake, Josh Macleod, Alex Mann, Garyn Phillips, Taine Plumtree, James Ratti, Tommy Reffell, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Freddie Thomas, Aaron Wainwright, Teddy Williams
Backs: Josh Adams, Sam Costelow, Dan Edwards, Keelan Giles, Kieran Hardy, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Blair Murray, Macs Page, Joe Roberts, Tom Rogers, Ben Thomas, Johnny Williams, Rhodri Williams, Cameron Winnett
READ MORE: Wales confirm tour coaching ticket as Matt Sherratt returns alongside Harlequins duo
AloJapan.com