Wales names strong squad for SA tour
WALES have named a strong team for their three-match tour of South Africa which starts with a clash against the EP Kings at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium next Tuesday.
The touring party was announced following a trial at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea where the Probables beat the Possibles 55-7.
The Welsh squad will depart for South Africa on Thursday, when the Kings are expected to name their team for the showpiece friendly.
They are likely to include several of their new signings who have been brought in to bolster the team ahead of the Currie Cup.
After the warm-up game in Port Elizabeth the first test between Wales and the Springboks takes place in Durban on Saturday June 14 with the second a week later in Nelspruit on Saturday June 21.
Ospreys lock Alun Wyn Jones will captain Wales in South Africa after coach Warren Gatland named a 32-man squad. Jones replaces the injured Sam Warburton as captain.
Joining back-row forward Warburton in missing the tour through injury are fellow flanker Justin Tipuric, fullback Leigh Halfpenny and flyhalf Rhys Priestland.
There are four uncapped players in New Zealander Gatland's squad including Bristol-bound back Matthew Morgan, plus the Scarlets trio of wing Jordan Williams, centre Steven Shingler and scrumhalf Gareth Davies.
But there was no Wales recall for Gavin Henson, with the Bath back prevented from playing in the trial match after English premier league clubs refused to release players for a fixture that did not constitute a full test under International Rugby Board rules. However, his team-mate Paul James and Northampton wing George North were both included in the tour party. It is expected that Luke Watson will return from long-term injury to lead a Kings team which could also feature several of their new signings.
It is also possible hooker Michael van Vuuren (Stade Francais), lock Izak van der Westhuizen (Edinburgh) and Hansie Graaff and Tim Whitehead (both Sharks) will make their debuts for the Kings against Wales.
Other newcomers who could feature against the Welshmen are scrumhalf Kevin Luiters and Samoan wing Paul Perez who is undergoing a conditioning phase after a knee operation.
The Wales squad: Forwards: Gethin Jenkins, Paul James, Adam Jones, Rhodri Jones, Samson Lee, Aaron Jarvis, Ken Owens, Matthew Rees, Scott Baldwin, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Luke Charteris, Jake Ball, Ian Evans, Aaron Shingler, Josh Turnbull, Dan Lydiate, Taulupe Faletau, Dan Baker.
Backs: Mike Phillips, Gareth Davies, Rhodri Williams, Dan Biggar, James Hook, Steven Shingler, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Cory Allen, Alex Cuthbert, George North, Jordan Williams, Matthew Morgan, Liam Williams. - George Byron
