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Former Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins has been ruled out of Wales’ Nations Champions Tests against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa through injury.
The Exeter Chiefs skipper picked up a shoulder injury in their Gallagher Prem final defeat to Northampton Saints that requires surgery, meaning the influential lock will miss out for Wales this summer. That’s a blow for Steve Tandy, with the 23-year-old having started 11 out of the last 16 Tests for Wales.
There are just two uncapped players remaining as Tandy reduces his 45-man squad down to 33 for the maiden Nations Championship. You can follow live updates from a Wales press conference that follows the announcement here.
Wales had already lost Keiron Assiratti, Liam Belcher and Louie Hennessey to injury – with a further 12 players leaving their extended summer squad.
Ospreys tighthead Ben Warren and Exeter Chiefs back-row Kane James remain, but there is no place for Cardiff loosehead Rhys Barratt, Harlequins centre Bryn Bradley and Dragons duo Ryan Woodman and Harrison Keddie.
Beyond the uncapped players, there’s no place for Olly Cracknell, Freddie Thomas, Ellis Bevan, Jarrod Evans, Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Joe Roberts and Tom Rogers.
Dewi Lake captains the squad, with Tandy opting for 19 forwards and 14 backs.
“We have selected a squad of 33 players for the Nations Championship to mirror what will be required for the World Cup in 2027,” said Tandy. “We are building a lot of competition among our group of players, which is what we want to have, and there were some tough calls to make.
“We have an exciting opportunity over the next three weeks in a brand-new competition and can’t wait to get our campaign started against Fiji on Saturday.
“As I’ve mentioned before, the priorities for us this summer are to keep growing and developing the players. We want to continue building and to be more consistent in our performances across all three games.”
Wales squad for the Nations Championship July window
Wales’ Nations Championship squad
Forwards
Adam Beard, James Botham, Rhys Carre, Ben Carter, Ryan Elias, Kane James, Dewi Lake, Dillon Lewis, Evan Lloyd, Alex Mann, Jac Morgan, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Aaron Wainwright, Sam Wainwright, Ben Warren, Teddy Williams
Backs
Josh Adams, Sam Costelow, Dan Edwards, Mason Grady, Kieran Hardy, Joe Hawkins, Eddie James, Max Llewellyn, Ellis Mee, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Blair Murray, Louis Rees-Zammit, Ben Thomas, Tomos Williams
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