Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt has announced a 33-man squad for a two-Test tour of Japan, featuring six uncapped players and led by Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake as captain. This tour marks a significant opportunity for Wales to end a record 17-match Test loss streak, with matches scheduled against Eddie Jones’ Japan side in Kitakyushu and Kobe in July 2025.
The squad includes six players yet to earn a Test cap: Cardiff’s Liam Belcher, Dragons’ Chris Coleman, Ospreys trio Garyn Phillips, Keelan Giles, and Reuben Morgan-Williams, and Scarlets back Macs Page.
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Sherratt highlighted the blend of youth and experience, stating, “There’s a good blend of experience and young talent selected and this group has a lot of potential.” The 33-man squad comprises 19 forwards and 14 backs, aiming to secure Wales’ first Test victory since the 2023 World Cup.
Several players return to the squad, including Kieran Hardy, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, James Ratti, Johnny Williams, and Cameron Winnett. Dragons’ Ben Carter, Scarlets’ Sam Costelow, and Bath’s Archie Griffin are back after missing the Six Nations due to injuries.
However, notable absences include locks Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, and Will Rowlands, Scarlets’ Henry Thomas and Ellis Mee, Gloucester’s Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn, Saracens’ Nick Tompkins, and Cardiff’s James Botham and Evan Lloyd. Jenkins is set for elective surgery, Thomas requires specialist advice for a long-term condition, while Beard and Rowlands are rested. No explanations were provided for the absence of Tompkins, Mee, Llewellyn, Anscombe, Lloyd, and Botham. Additionally, Ospreys number eight Morgan Morse was not selected.
Dewi Lake, who co-captained Wales with Jac Morgan at the 2023 World Cup and led the team during the 2024 Australia tour and Autumn Nations Series, takes the captaincy in Morgan’s absence, as Morgan tours Australia with the British and Irish Lions alongside Gloucester’s Tomos Williams. Sherratt is joined by coaches Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones, T. Rhys Thomas, and Danny Wilson for the Japan tour.
Wales will face Japan in two Test matches: the first on July 5 at Mikuni World Stadium in Kitakyushu, where Wales held their 2019 Rugby World Cup training camp, and the second on July 12 at Noevir Stadium in Kobe, which features a retractable roof.
Wales aim to avoid slipping from their lowest-ever world ranking of 12th and end a losing streak that includes two consecutive Six Nations Wooden Spoons, with their last win in October 2023.
Historically, Wales have dominated Japan, winning 13 of 14 encounters, with their only loss in Tokyo in 2013 (23-8). The most recent meeting in Cardiff in 2016 saw Wales edge Japan 33-30.
Below is the complete 33-man squad for the Japan tour:
Sherratt expressed enthusiasm for the tour, stating, “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.”
He emphasized the importance of preparation, adding, “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.”
Two Leicester Tigers players, Tommy Reffell and Nicky Smith, are included in the squad, bringing their experience with 27 and 54 caps, respectively.
This tour represents a critical juncture for Wales to rebuild momentum and showcase emerging talent under Sherratt’s leadership, with the uncapped players poised to make their mark on the international stage.
WALES SQUAD FOR JAPAN TEST SERIES
Forwards (19)Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 14 caps)Liam Belcher (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – uncapped / heb gap)Ben Carter (Dragons / Dreigiau – 12 caps)Chris Coleman (Dragons / Dreigiau – uncapped / heb gapElliot Dee (Dragons / Dreigiau – 56 caps)Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 108 caps)Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby / Caerfaddon – 6 caps)Dewi Lake (Ospreys / Gweilch 20 caps) captain / captenJosh Macleod (Scarlets – 2 caps)Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 5 caps)Garyn Phillips (Ospreys / Gweilch – uncapped / heb gap)Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 7 caps)James Ratti (Ospreys / Gweilch – 1 cap)Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 27 caps)Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 54 caps)Gareth Thomas (Ospreys / Gweilch – 40 caps)Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 3 caps)Aaron Wainwright (Dragons / Dreigiau – 57 caps)Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 6 caps)Backs (14)Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 61 caps)Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 18 caps)Dan Edwards (Ospreys / Gweilch – 2 caps)Keelan Giles (Ospreys / Gweilch – uncapped / heb gap)Kieran Hardy (Ospreys / Gweilch – 23 caps)Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys / Gweilch – uncapped / heb gap)Blair Murray (Scarlets – 8 caps)Macs Page (Scarlets – uncapped / heb gap)Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 5 caps)Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 9 caps)Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 12 caps)Johnny Williams (Scarlets – 7 caps)Rhodri Williams (Dragons / Dreigiau – 9 caps)Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 9 caps)
source: scarlets.wales
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