Whenever a Wales squad is named a number of players can consider themselves unfortunate to miss out and that seems a particularly long list this time following Wayne Pivac’s 33-strong selection for the trip to South Africa. Here then are the most notable omissions.
You can read all the news on the Wales squad here and take a look at Wayne Pivac's press conference here.
Morgan Morris
The Ospreys No 8 could be forgiven for wondering just what more he has to do. He’s been one of the most consistent performers in regional rugby over the past two or three years and is bang on form, having scored a hat-trick of tries on his last outing against the Dragons, showing his trademark power and determination, while he can also cover across the back row, offering jackaling ability and defensive resolve, along with his remorseless carrying.
Seb Davies
This is a really odd one. Davies figured in all but one of Wales’ matches this season, either at blindside flanker or lock, and started the last two against France and Italy. Yet now he is bombed out altogether and with Christ Tshiunza injured it means there is no-one offering the lock/6 hybrid option that Pivac has spoken so much about over the last year or so.
Jac Morgan
Explaining Morgan’s omission, Pivac says he needs to work on his physicality over the ball. Yet no-one has won more turnovers in the United Rugby Championship this season than the Ospreys flanker. He has pulled off no fewer than 22 of them, while he's second in the tournament tally when it comes to tackles, with a whopping 186. Those are some stats to leave at home. You do have to feel for him, as he has been the stand-out openside in the domestic game this season, while the one Six Nations match he started, against Scotland, coincided with Wales’ solitary victory in the competition. .
Ryan Conbeer
With Johnny McNicholl injured and Jonah Holmes heading for England, it looked as though there might be an opening for Scarlets winger Conbeer given the way he has kicked on this season, showing off his fantastic feet and finishing prowess. But the 23-year-old will have to bide his time a bit longer.
Jonathan Davies
Was a starting centre as recently as March against France but now fails to make the squad, with fellow Scarlet Johnny Williams recalled and George North back from injury. Pivac insists he hasn’t written him off, but Davies turned 34 last month and you do wonder if this might possibly be the end of the international road for the Test centurion.
James Botham
Has been Cardiff’s player of the season, with his performances seldom dipping below a high standard. His defensive work-rate has always been a real strength, but he has now added to his carrying game and is an effective presence over the ball, while his ability to cover all three back row berths would make him a valuable tourist. The recall for Dan Lydiate has maybe seen him squeezed out.
Bradley Roberts
Having committed his future to Welsh rugby by making the move to the Dragons from Ulster, he now finds himself out of the picture, with Sam Parry recalled to be the third hooker in the squad. Roberts hasn’t been helped by having injury problems since making his Test debut against the land of his birth South Africa in November.
Callum Sheedy
He’s been the regular back-up to Dan Biggar at fly-half over the past couple of years, but it’s been a challenging season at Bristol and he now finds himself out of the frame, with Rhys Patchell, who can also cover other positions, having been recalled.
Rhys Webb
He’s been the most impressive scrum-half on the regional scene over the course of the season, with his running game and tactical control, while also demonstrating his leadership as Ospreys skipper, but it looks as though the decision was made some time ago that he wasn’t going to be part of Wayne Pivac’s plans moving forward.
Ioan Lloyd
With Johnny McNicholl and Leigh Halfpenny both unavailable, there looked to be an opening at full-back and the gifted Lloyd has Test experience there, while also being able to slot in at centre and wing. But the Bristol youngster seems to have slipped out of the reckoning, with the versatile Gareth Anscombe likely to provide the full-back cover on tour.
Ellis Jenkins
After the highs of the autumn where he made an inspiring return against South Africa three years on from that horrendous knee injury, he has slipped down the back row pecking order, not featuring again after the Six Nations opening defeat to Ireland. So, with the intense competition on the flanks, it’s not a huge surprise to see him miss out.
Nicky Smith
Hasn’t figured in the Welsh set-up since winning his 41st cap against Argentina last summer, with fellow Ospreys loosehead Gareth Thomas having leapfrogged him. Still only 28 and very much doing the business at regional level with his strong scrummaging and work in the contact area.
Owen Lane
The top try scorer in regional rugby this season with 10 touchdowns and he has tended to be pivotal in a large percentage of Cardiff’s best attacking moments, but there’s no room for him in a limited back three contingent of just four players.
Elliot Dee
The hooking back-up to Ken Owens for so long, he has suffered on the injury front over the past year or so just as opportunity has knocked with Owens sidelined. Now it’s Sam Parry who has come up on the rails with his cameos in recent weeks to earn a recall ahead of both Dee and Roberts.
The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:
Ken Owens, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty, Christ Tshiunza, Aaron Wainwright, Uilisi Halaholo, Leigh Halfpenny, Johnny McNicholl.
