Wales National Rugby Union Team Bolsters Squad with Uncapped Talent for South Africa and Australia Matches
In a move to strengthen their roster, the Wales national rugby union team’s head coach Warren Gatland has called up uncapped Scarlets centre Eddie James to the squad preparing for their upcoming summer games against South Africa and Australia.
The 21-year-old James’ inclusion brings the total squad size to 37, with five of those players yet to earn their first international cap. Joining James as uncapped contenders for the midfield positions are Cardiff’s Mason Grady and Ben Thomas, Saracens’ Nick Tompkins, and Ospreys’ Owen Watkin.
Gatland had initially selected Gloucester’s Josh Hathaway, an uncapped wing or full-back, to face the Springboks and Wallabies. Other uncapped players in the training squad include Ospreys’ Keelan Giles and Cardiff’s Jacob Beetham and Ellis Bevan.
The Wales squad will take on South Africa at Twickenham on 22 June, with several players based outside of Wales unavailable for a match outside the official Test window. However, veteran full-back Liam Williams and Japan-based lock Cory Hill were surprise inclusions in Gatland’s squad announcement.
Prior to their two-Test tour of Australia in July, the Wales squad will be trimmed down to 34 players.
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