Dewi Lake co-captained Wales along with Jac Morgan at the 2023 Rugby World Cup Wales interim coach Matt Sherratt has named six uncapped players for the two-Test tour of Japan, with hooker Dewi Lake given the captaincy. Cardiff captain Liam Belcher, Dragons prop Chris Coleman, Ospreys trio Garyn Phillips, Keelan Giles and Reuben Morgan-Williams, plus Scarlets back Macs Page are the fresh faces, but there is no room for Ospreys number eight Morgan Morse. Lake leads the 33-man squad in the absence of flanker Jac Morgan, who is on tour with the British and Irish Lions in Australia, along with Gloucester scrum-half Tomos Williams. The notable absentees for Japan are locks Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard and Will Rowlands, Scarlets pair Henry Thomas and Ellis Mee, Gloucester duo Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn, Saracens centre Nick Tompkins and Cardiff duo James Botham and Evan Lloyd. Exeter lock Jenkins will have surgery and Scarlets prop Thomas needs to seek specialist opinion on a long-term condition. Beard and Rowlands are rested but the absence of Tompkins, Mee, Llewellyn, Anscombe, Lloyd and Botham has not been explained. Dragons second row Ben Carter, Scarlets fly-half Sam Costelow and Bath tight-head prop Archie Griffin return having missed the Six Nations due to injury. Kieran Hardy, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, James Ratti, Johnny Williams and Cameron Winnett have been handed recalls. "I'm excited to get the players together in camp to begin preparations for our summer campaign," said Sherratt. "There's a good blend of experience and young talent selected and this group has a lot of potential. "Going to Japan this July is a challenge the coaches and I are relishing. We are expecting a fierce contest from Japan in these Test matches. "Over the next few weeks in camp, it's about working hard, getting all our prep right on and off the pitch and gelling together as a group." Wales have not won a Test match in 19 months Wales will look to end a record run of successive 17 Test losses in Japan, having not won an international since October 2023 in a run that includes two successive Six Nations Wooden Spoons. Wales will play the Test matches against Eddie Jones' Japan side in Kitakyushu and Kobe aiming not to slip from their lowest ever position of 12th in the world rankings. The first Test, at Kitakyushu's Mikuni World Stadium, will take place on 5 July in the city where Wales held their Rugby World Cup training camp in 2019. The second Test will be played at Kobe's Noevir Stadium â which features a retractable roof â seven days later. Wales' men have won 13 of their 14 previous meetings with Japan, with the most recent encounter, in Cardiff in 2016, ending in a 33-30 victory for the home side. Wales' only loss in this fixture came in the summer of 2013 when they lost 23-8 in Tokyo. Forwards:Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Garyn Phillips, Keiron Assiratti, Chris Coleman, Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake (capt), Liam Belcher, Elliot Dee, Ben Carter, Teddy Williams, Freddie Thomas, James Ratti, Taine Plumtree, Aaron Wainwright, Alex Mann, Taulupe Faletau, Tommy Reffell, Josh Macleod. Backs:Kieran Hardy, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Rhodri Williams, Sam Costelow, Dan Edwards, Ben Thomas, Johnny Williams, Joe Roberts, Macs Page, Josh Adams, Tom Rogers, Blair Murray, Keelan Giles, Cameron Winnett.
Wales name six new caps as Lake leads Japan tour
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Wales Announce Squad for Japan Tour with Six Uncapped Players"
Bbc News
8.0
TruthLens AI Summary
Wales' interim coach Matt Sherratt has announced a 33-man squad for the upcoming two-Test tour of Japan, featuring six uncapped players, including hooker Dewi Lake, who will captain the team. The new faces include Liam Belcher from Cardiff, Chris Coleman from Dragons, and three Ospreys players: Garyn Phillips, Keelan Giles, and Reuben Morgan-Williams, alongside Scarlets back Macs Page. Notably absent from the squad are several key players, including flanker Jac Morgan, who is touring with the British and Irish Lions, and locks Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, and Will Rowlands. Jenkins is set to undergo surgery, while Thomas from Scarlets is seeking specialist advice on a long-term condition. Other omissions, such as Nick Tompkins and Gareth Anscombe, have not been clarified. Returning to the squad are Ben Carter, Sam Costelow, and Archie Griffin, all of whom missed the Six Nations due to injuries. Sherratt expressed excitement about the blend of youth and experience in the squad, emphasizing the importance of preparation and team cohesion ahead of the challenging matches against Japan.
Wales enters the tour facing a significant challenge, having not won a Test match in 19 months and currently holding a record of 17 consecutive Test losses. Their last victory was in October 2023, and they are keen to avoid sliding further down the world rankings, where they currently sit at their lowest ever position of 12th. The first Test is scheduled for July 5 at Mikuni World Stadium in Kitakyushu, a city that holds memories for Wales from their Rugby World Cup training camp in 2019. The second Test will take place a week later at Kobe's Noevir Stadium, which features a retractable roof. Historically, Wales has had a strong record against Japan, winning 13 of their 14 encounters, with the only loss occurring in Tokyo in 2013. The team will be looking to reclaim their competitive edge and secure a much-needed victory in this tour against Eddie Jones' Japan side.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents key updates regarding the Welsh rugby team as they prepare for their upcoming tour in Japan. It highlights the inclusion of six uncapped players and discusses the implications of missing experienced players. The tone suggests a focus on rebuilding and fostering new talent while addressing challenges ahead.
Team Changes and New Faces
Dewi Lake's appointment as captain, along with the selection of six new players, indicates a strategic shift in the team dynamics. The absence of seasoned players due to various reasons, including injuries and rest, emphasizes the need for fresh talent. This blend of experience and youth is intended to instill confidence in the squad and signal a new direction for Welsh rugby.
Coaching Perspective and Team Morale
Coach Matt Sherratt expresses enthusiasm about the upcoming matches, framing the Japan tour as a significant challenge. His comments about the potential of the selected players suggest an optimistic approach, aiming to engage and inspire both the team and supporters. By focusing on preparation and teamwork, the coaching staff aims to build a cohesive unit capable of overcoming recent struggles.
Public Sentiment and Expectations
The article subtly addresses the long-standing issue of Wales not winning a Test match in 19 months, which could trigger a sense of urgency among fans and stakeholders. By publicly acknowledging this challenge, there is an implicit expectation for the team to perform better during the Japan tour. The narrative aims to galvanize support from the public and foster a sense of hope for improvement.
Potential Implications on Rugby Community
The selection of new players may resonate particularly well with younger audiences and those invested in the future of Welsh rugby. This strategy could help to cultivate a more inclusive and diverse fan base, appealing to a broader demographic. As the team embarks on this journey, the outcome of the matches against Japan could significantly impact public perception and support for the sport in Wales.
Financial and Market Considerations
While this news primarily pertains to sports, the performance of national teams can indirectly affect local businesses and sponsorships associated with rugby. A successful tour could enhance the sport's visibility, potentially benefiting related industries, including merchandise sales and hospitality. However, if the struggles continue, it may have the opposite effect, dampening enthusiasm and financial backing.
Global Context and AI Influence
In the context of global rugby, this article reflects ongoing trends in team management and player development. There may not be direct geopolitical implications, but the performance of national teams can influence international sporting events and relations. The writing style suggests a structured approach, which could be indicative of AI assistance in drafting. An AI model might have shaped the narrative to make it more engaging and coherent, reflecting modern communication standards.
The article serves as a means to inform and rally support for the Welsh rugby team while addressing current challenges. It effectively blends updates on player selection with motivational messaging aimed at fans and stakeholders. Given these insights, the article appears credible, though it carries an intrinsic bias towards promoting a positive narrative about Wales' prospects.