Wales still without head coach as search for Warren Gatland successor rumbles on
Wales will tour Japan without a full-time head coach as Matt Sherratt reprises his interim role and bids to break a run of 17 consecutive Test losses.
Sherratt has previously stressed that it would take 'something significant' for him to leave his post as head coach of Cardiff, but with Abi Tierney, the chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union, searching for a permanent replacement for Warren Gatland, he was asked to return.
'We are very grateful to Matt for agreeing to pick up the reins again with the Wales senior men's side on an interim basis for the Japan tour,' said Tierney.
'The impact and positive difference he made to the squad in a very short period of time during the Six Nations was welcomed. It was a tough campaign, but we know we are in safe hands while we complete the final stages of our recruitment process for a new permanent head coach.'
Sherratt will be assisted by the presence of Danny Wilson and Adam Jones, who have been seconded from Harlequins to complete a makeshift backroom team.
'We're proud to see Danny and Adam gain recognition at the international level, and the opportunity to develop within a national coaching team this summer,' said Laurie Dalrymple, the Harlequins chief executive.
'It's a reflection of the respect they both have as coaches within the game, and the dedication to their craft as they undertake the roles in what will be their off-season. While they are short-term secondments, it's a fantastic chance for them to grow professionally and bring back new experiences that will ultimately benefit our club.
'Danny and his coaching team have already carefully crafted our pre-season programme, and we're fully aligned with the Welsh Rugby Union on the path ahead. We look forward to welcoming them back at the start of pre-season, refreshed and ready to hit the ground running as we prepare for the new campaign.'
Six uncapped players feature in Wales' 33-man squad, which will be without a pair of British and Irish Lions in Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams. Liam Belcher of Cardiff, Dragons prop Chris Coleman, Macs Page of Scarlets and the Ospreys trio of Garyn Phillips, Keelan Giles and Reuben Morgan-Williams comprise the contingent of new faces.
Besides the two Lions, other notable absentees include Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, Henry Thomas, Max Llewellyn, Gareth Anscombe, Nick Tompkins, James Botham and Evan Lloyd. Beard and Rowlands are rested, with Jenkins and Thomas addressing injuries. The others have been overlooked.
Elsewhere, there are recalls for Kieran Hardy, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, James Ratti, Johnny Williams and Cameron Winnett.
'I'm excited to get the players together in camp to begin preparations for our summer campaign,' said Sherratt, who will take on Eddie Jones' team in Kitakyushu on July 5 and in Kobe a week later.
'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.'
While they have won 13 of their past 14 meetings with Japan, Wales signed off the Six Nations with a 68-14 loss to England at the Principality Stadium and are languishing in 12th on the World Rugby rankings ladder; just one place above their hosts for this summer and one place below Georgia.
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.
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