Bradley Davies named Wales captain in Sam Warburton's absence
Cardiff Blues lock to return from injury to lead Wales on tour of Japan
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Cardiff Blues lock Bradley Davies is to captain Wales on their two-Test tour of Japan.
Davies has not played for his country since been knocked out by a punch from New Zealand hooker Andrew Hore during the autumn Tests, with a subsequent ankle injury ruling him out of Wales' successful Six Nations title defence.
But the 26-year-old has performed well since returning to regional action and, with senior figures such as Ryan Jones and Matthew Rees being rested, he has been handed the leadership role by interim head coach Robin McBryde.
There are nine uncapped players in the 27-man squad, which has been trimmed from an initial training party of 32, including Ospreys centre Dafydd Howells and Blues fly-half Rhys Patchell.
Both hookers in the party, Scarlets' Emyr Phillips and Scott Baldwin of the Ospreys, are also uncapped.
McBryde is without the Scarlets trio of hooker Ken Owens, fly-half Rhys Priestland and centre Scott Williams after they picked up injuries in the RaboDirect Pro12 semi-final defeat to Ulster, while Blues flanker Josh Navidi drops out after being chosen in the initial party.
Dan Biggar is the only member of the side which beat England in the Six Nations title decider to tour, with all 14 of his colleagues from that fixture having been selected for Lions duty.
There is also a place in the final squad for Steven Shingler. The London Irish back, who will return to the Scarlets this summer, is picked just over a year after he unsuccessfully battled to represent Scotland.
McBryde said: "We've had the training squad together for more than a week and we've been impressed.
"They have really put the effort in and stepped up as we have asked them to. Everyone in the training squad put their hand up for selection making our jobs much harder.
"It's a chance for these players now to experience the international Test environment and put their marker down."
Wales will face Japan in Osaka on June 8 and again in Tokyo on June 15.
Wales squad for the two-Test tour of Japan:
Forwards: Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Rhys Gill (Saracens), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Scott Andrews (Blues), Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Blues, captain), Lou Reed (Blues), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Rob McCusker (Scarlets), Andries Pretorius (Blues).
Backs: Lloyd Williams (Blues), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Patchell (Blues), Ashley Beck (Ospreys), Owen Williams (Blues), Jonathan Spratt (Ospreys), Dafydd Howells (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Harry Robinson (Blues), Tom Prydie (Dragons), Steven Shingler (London Irish).
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments