The unluckiest players in Wales right now and the call that has left people baffled
The unluckiest players in Wales right now and the call that has left people baffled
There are many players unlucky to have missed out on Matt Sherratt's squad
Ospreys backrower Morgan Morse was unlucky to miss out on the Wales squad in the eyes of many
(Image: Steve Haag/Huw Evans Agency )
Many players would have been elated to be included in Matt Sherratt's 33-man Wales squad to tour Japan this summer.
But for every ecstatic player there are ones who are left disappointed and a bit baffled as to why they have not been included in the squad. Some have missed out due to injury, while there are two Welshmen - Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams - on the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia - but others have been omitted for other reasons.
Here are the omissions which have raised a few eyebrows among the Welsh public.
Morgan Morse
The 20-year-old is undoubtedly one of the best prospects in the Welsh game, if not the best, and his omission has left many supporters scratching their heads.
Morse is not just a player for the future but the here and now after putting in some impressive performances this season.
The Ospreys backrower is a dynamic and explosive carrier who rarely fails in making significant post-contact metres.
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Morse is also a huge weapon at the breakdown while his work rate, physicality and his rugby intelligence marks the former Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera pupil out as a special talent.
But Sherratt is only the interim head coach and his focus is purely on winning two Test matches against Japan, whereas if he was the permanent boss there might have been more of an eye on the future. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
There is also the significant figure of Taulupe Faletau standing in Morse's way while Aaron Wainwright has proven himself to be a high-quality international No 8. The in-form Taine Plumtree can also cover that position.
But Morse does offer a different dynamic to those currently in the squad, while he can also cover the entire backrow.
Also, he arguably has a higher ceiling than those who have been selected ahead of him with the exception of the 34-year-old Faletau.
There's no doubt he will win many international caps but he could have really added some extra physicality and X-factor to this Wales squad.
What is even more of a head scratcher is the fact he has not been selected in the extended Wales U20s squad ahead of the U20s World Cup this summer.
James Fender
The 23-year-old was on Warren Gatland's radar last season but a series of injuries prevented the Ospreys lock from winning his first cap.
Fender has never failed to impress for the Ospreys with his physicality, manic work rate in defence and his lineout ability a big asset for the Welsh club.
Welsh rugby isn't exactly bursting at the seams with extremely physical no-nonsense locks who can dominate physically against the stronger packs, but Fender is one of them.
With experienced duo Will Rowlands and Adam Beard not selected now would arguably have been the perfect time to blood Fender as an international.
Sherratt has selected Fender's Ospreys team-mate James Ratti in the squad who is a bruiser of a second-row known for doing the unfashionable dirty work, which allows others to thrive.
But in the main Sherratt has gone for athleticism and mobility from his second-rows.
Cardiff second-row Teddy Williams will have a big part to play this summer while Gloucester's Freddie Thomas will suit the fast and expansive game Wales are likely to play in Japan.
Fender has a nice mix of athleticism and outright physicality and would arguably have been perfect for this tour.
The Ospreys lock will need to stay injury-free and start next season well in the hope of impressing Gatland's long-term successor.
James Botham
It has been a horrible season for the men's national side but Botham is one player who can hold his head up high because he has performed well in a poor side.
The absence of the Cardiff backrower from the Wales squad to tour Japan is a little surprising, especially considering he is coached by Sherratt at club level.
Of course, Sherratt cannot show any favouritism but Botham has performed well at both club and international level.
But if there is one position where Welsh rugby has some strength in depth it is at openside flanker. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
Tommy Reffell is a quality player and the Leicester Tigers man was always going to get selected but Sherratt has opted to give Scarlets captain Josh Macleod an opportunity, while there is also a recall for Cardiff's Alex Mann.
Macleod has been excellent for the Scarlets this season, leading from the front, while Mann has impressed for the Blue & Blacks of late.
Botham's athleticism and physicality along with the fact he covers the entire backrow would have come in handy but there is a lot of competition here.
Ryan Elias
The 30-year-old has always been a player who has come in for some unjust criticism from Welsh fans on social media, with his throwing in often criticised.
But the powerful hooker has been outstanding for the Scarlets in recent weeks and put in a superb performance in the shock victory over Leinster last month.
Elias has had a tough season with injury and was sidelined for a number of months with a neck and shoulder injury but he has come back with a bang.
Sherratt was always going to select Dewi Lake, who captains the squad, while Elliot Dee performed well during the Six Nations.
The Carmarthen man has missed out to Cardiff captain Liam Belcher who has been a consistent performer in the United Rugby Championship but it remains to be seen whether he has what it takes to successfully make the step up to Test rugby.
Elias' detractors usually fail to mention his scrummaging prowess, his size, his power and the fact he is one of the only front-five forwards in Wales able to make significant dents while carrying into heavy traffic.
On the other hand a summer off might do him good in preparation for a season where he will be determined to win back his place in the Wales squad.
Ellis Mee
The Scarlets man made an impressive start to his international career in the narrow defeat to Ireland but had a tough time against Scotland and England.
But Mee has been in good form for the Scarlets, putting in two excellent performances against Leinster and the victory over the Lions at high-altitude in Johannesburg.
Sherratt has opted to select Ospreys flyer Keelan Giles in the squad with his electric pace undoubtedly winning the day.
But Giles had a really tough time both defensively and especially under the high ball during the Ospreys' defeat to the Sharks a couple of weeks ago.
Those who have played and coached at Test level have always said if you make mistakes in the international arena then you get ruthlessly put to the sword. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
Mee is as safe as houses under the high ball with Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel comparing the wing to an Australian Rules player.
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He is also strong in defence and during the Scarlets' victory over the Lions showed his strength to win the ball back on a few occasions with a couple of excellent counter rucks against big South African forwards.
But as Sherratt said in the week, Mee is likely to go on to win many more Wales caps despite this setback.
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