Latest news with #Sherratt
Wales Online
14 hours ago
- Business
- Wales Online
WRU to make Leigh Halfpenny announcement as mentor Neil Jenkins told to stay at home
WRU to make Leigh Halfpenny announcement as mentor Neil Jenkins told to stay at home The former Wales full-back will join up with camp next week to help coach the national team Leigh Halfpenny shakes hands with Neil Jenkins (Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency ) Leigh Halfpenny will be confirmed as part of Wales' coaching staff for the tour of Japan in the coming days. The former Wales full-back, who called time on his illustrious Test career after the 2023 World Cup, will join up with Matt Sherratt's coaching team from next week as preparations continue for the two-Test tour in July. The 36-year-old, who still has ambitions to carry on playing, will work as a kicking coach as part of interim head coach Sherratt's new-look coaching ticket. The 101-cap international had been expected to take up a role in Sherratt's staff for the Japan tour, although he wasn't initially named in Wales' management team on the same day that Cardiff head coach Sherratt named his 33-man squad to face the Brave Blossoms. Cardiff defence coach Gethin Jenkins, Gloucester's T. Rhys Thomas and Harlequins pair Danny Wilson and Adam Jones have already been confirmed as part of Sherratt's staff for the upcoming tour. Following his expected announcement this week, Halfpenny will take up his coaching duties next week - with Wales' preparations having started officially on Monday. Some players have even been in longer, with optional extra conditioning sessions taking place at their Vale Resort training base last week. Article continues below Following his Test retirement two years ago, Halfpenny has enjoyed spells in New Zealand and England, with Crusaders and Harlequins respectively. The full-back's departure from the Stoop was confirmed last month, with his last game for Quins coming on the weekend against Bristol Bears. He's now expected to join French club Beziers, but will spend his summer coaching with Wales first. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. With Halfpenny part of Wales' coaching staff in Japan, it means Neil Jenkins won't tour with the national team. The former fly-half has been a mainstay of Wales' coaching team for nearly two decades, first working with the national team in 2006. However, amid uncertainty over the future of the existing coaches, Jenkins is currently spending his time helping the U20s squad prepare for their World Championship campaign. Over the years, Jenkins has formed a very close bond with Halfpenny - having worked closely with the full-back. The 53-year-old was even present to watch Halfpenny's last game for Harlequins on the weekend. The need to bring in a temporary coaching staff to Japan comes as the Welsh Rugby Union's search for Warren Gatland's successor goes on. Gatland walked from the job during the Six Nations following a run of 14 consecutive Test defeats, with parts of his coaching staff remaining as Sherratt was parachuted into the job mid-tournament. With Sherratt being tasked with taking temporary charge again, the Cardiff boss has been allowed to choose his own coaching staff. As such, the rest of Gatland's backroom staff - Jonathan Humphreys, Mike Forshaw, Alex King and Rob Howley - will not be involved in Japan. Article continues below WalesOnline understands that communication from the Union with the existing coaches prior to the announcement of the summer's coaching ticket had been sparse. Some of those existing coaches are understood to be out of contract this summer, but the WRU insist no decision will be made on their futures until the new head coach is in place, with the search getting closer to its conclusion.
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Today's rugby news as Welsh star leaves door open to return and Wales given 'uncomfortable' Japan warning
Today's rugby news as Welsh star leaves door open to return and Wales given 'uncomfortable' Japan warning The latest headlines from Wales and around the world Sherratt and his side have been warned about the 'uncomfortable' conditions that await them in Japan These are your latest rugby headlines on Friday, May 30. Welsh star leaves door open to return Wales international Rhys Patchell has opened up on what his next move may be after leaving Japanese side NEC Green Rockets earlier this month. The 22-cap fly-half took up a break clause to leave the club a year early, having also enjoyed a stint at New Zealand Super Rugby outfit the Highlanders the previous season after his exit from Scarlets in 2023. Having previously spoken openly about how he had missed Wales during his time in Japan, Patchell's departure from the Green Rockets has seen him linked with a potential move back home. He was quizzed on his future during his appearance on the Scrum V podcast, but wouldn't reveal specifics about where he might end up next. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Instead, he admitted that his priorities had changed having recently welcomed his first child, Llew, with presenter wife Heledd Anna Roberts, adding that his next move will be determined by what works best for his family. "I think whatever fits the family is probably what will work for me," said Patchell. "I've been very lucky as I've had 14 years of being pretty selfish and doing what suits me best in terms of prolonging my career or pushing my career on. "You've got to be selfish to play at the level that we want to play at. "[But] now that the wee man has come along, my perspective has changed significantly. So, whatever fits for us as a family unit is what I'll do next." And asked if he still "had the hunger" to keep playing, the 32-year-old added simply: "For the right thing". Wales given 'uncomfortable' Japan warning Patchell has also drawn on his experiences in Japan to issue a warning to the Wales squad ahead of their tour there this summer, as he admitted they will face "uncomfortable" conditions over their two Test matches. Led by interim head coach Matt Sherratt, Wales are looking to end a miserable run of 17 straight Test match defeats on the tour but, having spent the last year out there, the former Scarlets and Cardiff fly-half knows that the heat and humidity could end up causing the team some issues. "It's a different game out there," he told the Scrum V podcast. "The sun will be shining and it will be a wet weather game. The ball is going to be like a bar of soap. "Eddie Jones will have everything stacked in Japan's favour, he's going to make the most of the fact that Wales are coming to Japan. They are going to try to play the game as early in the day as possible, they will make the bus rides take as long as possible to get from the hotel to the stadium, everything is going to be stacked in Japan's favour. "And quite right too, he's got a real chance to make something of his international season, as they've had a pretty poor run of international results as well, Japan. "I'll give you an idea of how hot and uncomfortable it's going to be," Patchell continued. "The Maori All Blacks went to play Japan last summer and one of my teammates Ash Dixon was part of the coaching staff with the Maoris. "They had to pull their outside half off at half-time with heatstroke, his eyes were in the back of his head and he's gone into a fit in the sheds at half-time because it's so hot and humid and uncomfortable. "That gives you an idea of just how difficult [it will be]. The key for me is they've got to manage their energy really, really smartly. Japan are going to zip the ball around because Eddie Jones is a firm believer in 'ruck and run' - who wants the ball, off the deck, gone. "[There will be] a lot of ball movement, playing as fast as they can. They will want the game down here where it's really uncomfortable for Wales because they're bigger men. So, for me, it's how smart can Wales manage their own energy to be in the fight at the end?" Farrell ultimatum issued Racing 92 and Saracens have reportedly opened talks over a deal for Owen Farrell with the fly-half edging closer to a stunning return to English rugby. The former England captain joined the Top 14 side on a two-year deal last summer, but is said to be wanting to move back across the Channel after an injury-blighted first year in France, having been plagued by groin and knee issues throughout the season. Farrell is reportedly keen to re-join Saracens in a player-coach role, with discussions between the two clubs said to be at an early stage, according to MailOnline. However, with Racing understood to have paid close to £500,000 to sign Farrell last year, and with the 33-year-old still having over a year left on his contract, such a move will not come cheap. It is understood that the French club's owner Jacky Lorenzetti wants at least the majority of the money he paid for Farrell back, with RugbyPass reporting that he is "prepared to play hardball" and will force the Englishman into staying if a deal isn't done this week, to avoid months of wrangling over a transfer. It comes after Saracens boss Mark McCall declined to comment on reports linking Farrell with a return to the club, as he described the rumours as "pie in the sky". 'It's just not worth answering, to be honest, because as far as I know, he is under contract at Racing and has a year left," he said during a media call earlier this week. "There are so many of these stories that come out. 'As you know from me down the years, there is no point talking about something that is so pie in the sky. It's better for me not to comment." Welsh officials appointed Welsh referee Ben Breakspear has been appointed as one of 10 match officials for this summer's World Rugby U20 Championship Breakspear first refereed at the tournament in 2023 having impressed while officiating on the World Sevens Circuit, while he has also taken charge of matches in the URC and the Olympic Games in Paris last year. He will be joined at the tournament - which is being held in Italy between June 29 and July 19 - by Aled Griffiths, who has also been appointed to the panel as one of five Television Match Officials. After the appointments were confirmed, WRU National Elite Performance Match Official Manager, Ian Davies, said: 'One of the main priorities when I came into the role was to seek to increase the opportunities made available to our match officials. 'A year ago I was fortunate enough to oversee Ben Breakspear given his URC debut in the Edinburgh game against Zebre. His consistent performances at URC and EPCR level since then have led to his selection for this year's Junior World Championship in Italy. 'I also wanted some of our more experienced referees to consider opportunities as a TMO to support our on-field officials. Seeing Aled Griffiths appointed to the Junior World Championship is testament not only to his own hard work, but also the other TMO's in our group who have challenged Aled and each other to continually improve. 'There is now a really healthy level of competition developing in our match official department that I'm hoping will not only improve the standard of officiating at domestic level, but will also reflect in more high profile opportunities being awarded.' As well as Breakspear, the selected referees are Tomas Bertazza (Argentina), Griffin Colby (South Africa), Katsuki Furuse (Japan), Peter Martin (Ireland), Marcus Playle (New Zealand), Jérémy Rozier (France), Filippo Russo (Italy), Lex Weiner (USA) and Morgan White (Hong Kong China). Article continues below The four other Television Match Officials completing the panel alongside Griffiths are Leo Colgan (Ireland), Graham Cooper (Australia), Quinton Immelman (South Africa) and Dan Jones (RFU).
Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Matt Sherratt has huge Japan calls to make as several Wales stars face defining tours
Matt Sherratt has huge Japan calls to make as several Wales stars face defining tours Wales will face a tough challenge in Japan this summer Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd ) Matt Sherratt and his coaching team have already started to plan a way Wales can end a 17-game losing streak by beating Japan this summer. The interim Wales head coach will be joined by Harlequins coach Danny Wilson (forwards), Gethin Jenkins (defence), Adam Jones (scrum) and T. Rhys Thomas (skills) in Japan. In normal circumstances Wales would look to use a trip which coincides with a British & Irish Lions tour to blood players, but these are strange times. Wales only have two players on the Lions tour - Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams - while Sherratt is merely keeping the seat warm before the Welsh Rugby Union find a long-term replacement for Warren Gatland. But more importantly than that Japan (13th) are ranked just one place below Wales (12th) in the World Rugby rankings. Defeat this summer would weaken Wales' Rugby World Cup seeding and potentially see them drop into a pool which contains a further three tier one nations. There cannot be too much mixing and matching this summer because Wales really need to win this one. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Article continues below So, what are the biggest conundrums facing Sherratt this summer and what could he do differently from the Six Nations? During the Six Nations Sherratt was handed over a squad at a really low ebb midway through the Championship and it would have been extremely difficult to change too much. Yes, there was a shift in terms of the way they moved the ball but this summer Sherratt and his coaching team will be able to get through far more detail in the lead-up to the tour. This is now his squad and he will be able to stamp his own authority on the team. Japan are not the same quality of team which toppled South Africa at the 2015 World Cup or reached the quarter-finals four years later by disposing of Ireland and Scotland, but they remain a dangerous outfit. They are also coached by Eddie Jones and given Wales' recent struggles will fancy their chances of taking a tier-one scalp. Sherratt and his players must be prepared for that, along with the searing heat they are likely to experience in Kitakyushu and Kobe. But arguably the biggest challenge Sherratt will face is what style of rugby to adopt. Traditionally Sherratt likes his team to play with speed and width, with players backed to play what is in front of them, which is in stark contrast to Gatland's risk-averse philosophy. But if they go down that road they will need to be accurate and it is worth noting that Japan aren't the biggest of sides, so they will undoubtedly look to play with speed and tempo. That is the style of rugby which took three significant scalps at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups. Japan will want to draw Wales into a fast and loose game, hoping their skill levels and the potential heat can get them over the line. Wales need to ensure the pack dominate physically and the set-piece functions well but they do have two outstanding coaches in Wilson, who will take charge of the forwards, and scrum guru Jones. It will be interesting to see who Sherratt opts for at inside centre but in all likelihood it will be Ben Thomas who has served him well at Cardiff. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Thomas is a very talented footballer with a strong kicking game and is in the mould of a Southern Hemisphere second five-eight. But in-form Scarlets centre Johnny Williams is the more powerful carrier and is capable of making significant post-contact metres. Williams is a player Japan won't want to face because they will have difficulty containing his carrying game, and this is a big tour for the Scarlets man who fell out of favour with Gatland. What also favours Williams is the fact his Scarlets midfield partner Joe Roberts is highly likely to start at 13 because cohesion is vital at Test level. As always the breakdown will be key and Wales will want to slow down the speed of Japan's ruck ball with both Tommy Reffell and Scarlets captain Josh Macleod set to play important roles on this tour. If Japan are forced to play on the backfoot then it will be very difficult for them to score points against Wales due to the lack of size and power in their side. In terms of players it's a big tour for both Sam Costelow and Dan Edwards. Costelow is now an experienced player and needs to bring his excellent Scarlets form onto the international arena by becoming a leader in the group. Kieran Hardy is also playing the best rugby of his career for the Ospreys and it would be hugely beneficial for Wales if he was able to exert some serious pressure on Tomos Williams in the autumn. Up-front, tighthead prop is a problem position in Wales therefore it is a huge positive to see Archie Griffin return. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Article continues below But what is intriguing is the selection of Dragons prop Chris Coleman because Wales really needs to build some depth at tighthead. But the biggest priority is winning both Tests because if Wales lose even one they will have hit a new low.
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
The reason each of the 21 missing Wales Six Nations players has not been picked
The reason each of the 21 missing Wales Six Nations players has not been picked There are some familiar faces missing from Wales' summer squad James Botham has been left out of Wales' summer squad (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) There was a fresh look to Wales' squad to tour Japan this summer, with Matt Sherratt opting to select 16 players who did not figure during the Six Nations. The likes of Keelan Giles, Chris Coleman, Macs Page, Liam Belcher and Josh Macleod were perhaps eye-catching selections but there are also a number of familiar faces who have missed out on selection and not all are injured. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free Here are the reasons the 21 players who were included in the most recent Six Nations squad are touring Japan this summer. Max Llewellyn When Sherratt was appointed interim head coach midway through the Six Nations the first thing he did was call in Gloucester centre Llewellyn. The Gloucester centre has been sidelined with an injury for the past few Gallagher Premiership fixtures which is the reason he was not included by Sherratt. Although he is expected back very soon it has been decided to give him a break for the summer. Ellis Mee The 21-year-old made his Wales debut in the narrow defeat to Ireland during the Six Nations and put in an excellent performance before featuring against Scotland and England. Article continues below Mee has been in relatively good form for the Scarlets but Sherratt has opted for Keelan Giles ahead of the former Nottingham flyer. It was his toughest call. "Ellis is not injured," said Sherratt. "That was probably one of the hardest decisions. "I spoke to Dwayne Peel this morning about it. I think Ellis is going to be a well-capped individual. "I just feel we need experience. I know Keelan isn't capped, but he's toured before and is a regular starter in the URC. That was one of the toughest calls. Ellis has a big future." Tomos Williams The 30-year-old has been a key figure for Wales over the past few seasons and has arguably been the best scrum-half in the Gallagher Premiership this season. But Williams' outstanding form for Gloucester has resulted in a well-deserved place on this summer's British & Irish Lions tour of Australia. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Kieran Hardy, Reuben Morgan-Williams and Rhodri Williams have some big boots to fill. Evan Lloyd Warren Gatland was a big fan of the 23-year-old and viewed him as a player with huge potential. The powerful hooker has been playing regularly for Cardiff of late but during Sherratt's tenure as head coach, club captain Liam Belcher has been preferred. Sherratt has rewarded Belcher for his consistency at United Rugby Championship level but Lloyd can feel a little aggrieved to miss out. Dafydd Jenkins The Exeter Chiefs second-row is undoubtedly one of Wales' most important players and his absence will be keenly felt in Japan this summer. But the Welsh Rugby Union have revealed Jenkins will have elective surgery this summer which will rule the 22-year-old out of the Japan tour. It's a big loss. Liam Williams Sherratt has put an emphasis on the importance of experience this summer and it would have been beneficial if Williams was fit to tour. But unfortunately the 34-year-old remains sidelined after undergoing knee surgery in February leaving Cardiff's Cameron Winnett and the Scarlets' Blair Murray to fight it out for the full-back berth. Sam Parry Parry has been playing regularly for the Ospreys but at 33 his international days are numbered. The powerful hooker has never let Wales down but Sherratt is a big fan of Belcher who is his club captain at Cardiff, while Dewi Lake is the clear first choice and Elliot Dee is as reliable as they come. Kemsley Mathias The 25-year-old had a good start to the season and was involved in both the autumn and Six Nations squad. But Mathias picked up a calf injury against the Stormers in March and missed a good chunk of rugby for the Scarlets. The Pembrokeshire man returned to take his place on the bench in South Africa but scrum coach Adam Jones clearly sees something in uncapped Ospreys prop Garyn Phillips. Christ Tshiunza The 22-year-old's omission is a bit of a shock given the can cover both second-row and blindside flanker. But Tshiunza has not kicked on from his outstanding performances on last summer's summer tour of Australia. The fact he plays in an Exeter Chiefs side which has struggled to win all season won't have helped his cause. Jac Morgan Not much explanation needed here. Morgan is absent because he is one of only two Welsh players selected for the Lions tour of Australia which clashes with Wales' trip to Japan. The 25-year-old is Wales' best player but openside flanker is a rare position of strength with Tommy Reffell and Josh Macleod capable deputies. Josh Hathaway The 21-year-old flyer has missed the last few Gloucester fixtures with an ankle injury. Hathaway made his Test debut against Australia last summer and has been a regular in the wider squad of late. But his injury won't have helped his cause with Sherratt opting to go with Keelan Giles, Tom Rogers and Josh Adams. Will Rowlands The experienced second-row was out of sorts during the autumn internationals and the Six Nations and has paid the price. Rowlands has been playing regularly for Parisian club Racing 92 in the unforgiving Top 14, so could probably do with the summer off to recharge the batteries. But while he may not have been at his best of late he is one of the only locks with the power needed for the top end of the international game. Gareth Anscombe The 34-year-old has been playing well for Gloucester and was called up by Sherratt middway through the Six Nations. But Anscombe - who will join French club Bayonne next season - is nearing the end of his career with Sherratt opting for youth in Dan Edwards and Sam Costelow, while Ben Thomas can also cover 10. "It was more around Dan Edwards, he was involved in the Six Nations," said Sherratt. "It's time to look forward with him. "Sam Costelow missed the Six Nations, so it's getting him up to speed." Eddie James The 22-year-old is a big prospect, of that there is no doubt, but he has been left out of the Scarlets matchday 23 for the last few games. James has missed out due to his lack of game time, with Johnny Williams, who has been on fire for the Scarlets, taking his place. Ellis Bevan The 25-year-old has been out of favour at Cardiff with Sherratt opting to select South African Johan Mulder and the experienced Aled Davies ahead of him. With that in mind it is no surprise he has not been included in this squad. Kieran Hardy has been playing the best rugby of his career of late while Ospreys scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams deserves an opportunity. James Botham This is arguably the most eye-catching omission because Botham has been one of Wales' better players throughout what has been a wretched season. The 27-year-old has also been playing well for Cardiff which makes this a bit of a head scratcher. But having said that, Tommy Reffell is a proven international-class performer while Josh Macleod has been outstanding for the Scarlets this season. Nick Tompkins The 30-year-old remains an ever present figure in the Saracens midfield and has been a regular for Wales since making his debut under Wayne Pivac in 2020. Tompkins is an experienced campaigner but perhaps does not fit the mould of centre Sherratt wants in his backline. Johnny Williams has the physical presence to get over the gain-line, while Ben Thomas is a lovely footballer and Macs Page is a nod to the future. His days playing for Wales arguably look bleak. Jarrod Evans When Sherratt took the role midway through the Six Nations he called the Harlequins playmaker up immediately. Evans showed flashes of brilliance as a replacement in difficult circumstances during the final three games of the Six Nations. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. But Sherratt confirmed in his press conference that Evans is presently injured. Henry Thomas The former England prop is currently the form tighthead in Welsh rugby and has been outstanding for the Scarlets of late, particularly at the set-piece. But the WRU have confirimed Thomas will needs to seek specialist opinion on a long-term condition this summer, so won't be available to tour. Ben Warren Both Gatland and former Ospreys head coach Toby Booth saw Warren as a player with huge potential. The 25-year-old has shown promise for the Ospreys, especially, around the park but remains a work in progress at scrum time. Adam Jones has decided to take a look at uncapped Dragons tighthead Chris Coleman instead. Owen Watkin The Ospreys midfielder figured regularly under Gatland and is an underrated player with his solidity in defence, low error count, and his carrying game very useful at international level. Article continues below But the 28-year-old is sidelined until the start of next season after undergoing a serious knee injury during Wales' Six Nations defeat to France in January.
Rhyl Journal
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Matt Sherratt hopes Wales can ‘lay foundation' against Japan and end losing run
Cardiff boss Sherratt will resume interim head coach duty for a trip that starts in Kitakyushu on July 5. Sherratt took charge of Wales' final three Six Nations games this season after Gatland departed following defeat against Italy in Rome. Congratulations to Matt Sherratt and Gethin Jenkins who have both been confirmed in the Wales coaching team for the Japan Summer Tests. 🇯🇵 Sherratt will resume his interim head coach role, while Jenkins travels as the defence coach. 👏#YmlaenCaerdydd — Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) May 20, 2025 Wales ended their Six Nations campaign with a record 68-14 home loss to England and have suffered 17 successive Test defeats, starting with the 2023 World Cup quarter-final against Argentina. Sherratt has named a 33-strong squad for the Japan tour, with Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake chosen as captain. 'Being a Lions year, with two players away and a couple of other experienced players unavailable, it was important to get some experience in the squad,' Sherratt said. 'Probably big picture-wise, if I am honest, the development angle should be left to the next guy coming in, in terms of some younger boys he wants to look at. 'A big part of doing it when I was asked a couple of weeks ago was laying a foundation for the next guy coming in. I don't think it is our job as coaches to look at the big picture. 'It is just about getting some familiarity there, and with the world rankings and Japan being one place behind, it is about going there and trying to get a result. 'I would love for the next guy to look at the team and think there is something to build on and not have that losing record around their neck.' Sherratt will have a new team of assistant coaches alongside him for appointments with Eddie Jones' Japan in Kitakyushu and then Kobe seven days later. Harlequins Head Coach Danny Wilson and Scrum Coach Adam Jones will embark on a secondment this summer to join Wales' coaching team for the upcoming tour to Japan.#COYQ — Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) May 20, 2025 Jonathan Humphreys and Mike Forshaw, who were part of Gatland's coaching staff throughout his second spell in charge, will not be involved this summer. Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson and scrum specialist Adam Jones will join Sherratt on the tour, in addition to Gloucester's TR Thomas and Cardiff defence coach Gethin Jenkins, all on a secondment basis. Jones and Thomas worked alongside Sherratt during the Six Nations. 'The WRU (Welsh Rugby Union) were pretty clear they wanted to take an interim staff. I think it was important, with the limited time, that we had worked together before,' Sherratt added. 'I've worked with Danny at Cardiff, I work with Gethin now, Gethin and TR have worked together, Adam Jones has played with them. It is a familiar staff, and having staff harmony rubs off on the players.' 🚨 𝘾𝙔𝙃𝙊𝙀𝘿𝘿𝙄𝘼𝘿 𝘾𝘼𝙍𝙁𝘼𝙉 🏴 Here is your3️⃣3️⃣-man squad for our two Test series in Japan this summer 💪⤵ More 👉 — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) May 20, 2025 Sherratt has selected six uncapped players in Keelan Giles, Macs Page, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Liam Belcher, Chris Coleman and Garyn Phillips. Fly-half Sam Costelow, prop Archie Griffin and lock Ben Carter, meanwhile, all return after missing the Six Nations through injury. But Exeter captain Dafydd Jenkins will undergo surgery this summer and misses out along with Scarlets prop Henry Thomas, who the WRU say will seek specialist opinion on a long-term condition, while locks Adam Beard and Will Rowlands are rested. Gloucester back Max Llewellyn is also injured, but there are no places for the likes of Llewellyn's club colleagues Gareth Anscombe and Josh Hathaway, Saracens centre Nick Tompkins, Scarlets wing Ellis Mee and Cardiff flanker James Botham.
