Private Blog Network – Wales have named a 33-man squad for their upcoming Japan tour, featuring six new caps and some notable absentees. The squad, led by captain Dewi Lake, will face Japan in two Test matches scheduled for July. The fresh faces in the squad include Cardiff’s Liam Belcher, Dragons’ Chris Coleman, Ospreys’ trio Garyn Phillips, Keelan Giles, and Reuben Morgan-Williams, plus Scarlets back Macs Page.
However, there are a few notable absentees from the squad, including Ospreys’ number eight Morgan Morse. The team will also be without a few key players due to injury or rest. Flanker Jac Morgan is missing from the squad, as he is currently with the British and Irish Lions in Australia. Gloucester scrum-half Tomos Williams also won’t be available for the tour.
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Absentees and Injury Updates
Several players will not make the trip to Japan due to injury or rest. Locks Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, and Will Rowlands are all absent, along with Scarlets’ Henry Thomas and Ellis Mee. Gloucester duo Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn, Saracens’ Nick Tompkins, and Cardiff’s James Botham and Evan Lloyd have also not been selected.
Jenkins will undergo surgery, while Thomas is seeking specialist advice on a long-term condition. Llewellyn and Jarrod Evans are sidelined with injuries. Beard and Rowlands have been given time off to rest, while Tompkins, Mee, Anscombe, Lloyd, and Botham were not included in the squad for other reasons.
However, there is some good news for injured players who are returning. Ben Carter, Sam Costelow, and Archie Griffin have all made their comebacks after missing the Six Nations due to injury.
Excitement for the Upcoming Japan Tour
Wales’ head coach, Warren Sherratt, expressed excitement about the upcoming summer campaign. He emphasized the balance of experience and young talent in the squad and is eager to start preparations. With a new look team, Sherratt believes that the squad has great potential.
Wales’ upcoming tour will be a significant challenge. Sherratt and the coaches are prepared for tough competition from Japan, who are expected to put up a strong fight. Over the next few weeks in camp, the team will focus on preparation, both on and off the pitch.
Wales’ Desperate Need for Victory
Wales enters the Japan tour with a desperate need for a win. The team is currently on a record run of 17 successive Test losses, having not won an international match since October 2023. This losing streak includes two consecutive Wooden Spoon finishes in the Six Nations.
Wales will face Japan in Kitakyushu and Kobe, aiming to improve their world ranking, which has dropped to an all-time low of 12th. The team will be hoping to avoid further setbacks and find success in the two Test matches.
What to Expect from the Upcoming Tests
The first Test match will take place at Kitakyushu’s Mikuni World Stadium on July 5. This stadium is significant for Wales, as it hosted their Rugby World Cup training camp in 2019. The second Test will be played at Kobe’s Noevir Stadium, which features a retractable roof, on July 12.
Historically, Wales has dominated Japan in their 14 previous meetings, winning 13 of them. The most recent encounter in 2016 saw Wales secure a 33-30 victory in Cardiff. The only loss came in 2013 when they were defeated 23-8 in Tokyo. With this strong record, Wales will be confident heading into the Test series but will need to perform at their best to overcome Japan’s improving squad.
Wales Squad for the Japan Tour
Forwards: Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Garyn Phillips, Keiron Assiratti, Chris Coleman, Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake (capt), Liam Belcher, Elliot Dee, Ben Carter, Teddy Williams, Freddie Thomas, James Ratti, Taine Plumtree, Aaron Wainwright, Alex Mann, Taulupe Faletau, Tommy Reffell, Josh Macleod.
Backs: Kieran Hardy, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Rhodri Williams, Sam Costelow, Dan Edwards, Ben Thomas, Johnny Williams, Joe Roberts, Macs Page, Josh Adams, Tom Rogers, Blair Murray, Keelan Giles, Cameron Winnett.