Wales have named an experienced 35-man squad to face England at Twickenham and the All Blacks in New Zealand this summer, with eight current Ospreys included.
Skipper Alun Wyn Jones is named, despite not playing since the Six Nations due to a foot injury, as is Paul James, whose last appearance was against the Scarlets in March before he underwent eye surgery.
They are joined in the squad by Scott Baldwin, James King, Dan Lydiate, Rhys Webb, Dan Biggar and Eli Walker. Prop Rhodri Jones, who will link up with the Ospreys following the tour, is also included.
Led by captain Sam Warburton, the squad will link up later this month and will face England on Sunday May 29th before heading to the Southern Hemisphere, for a four-match (three-Test) tour, the following day.
With an average of over 30 Test caps per player that experience will be vital when facing both the RBS 6 Nations holders and then the World Champions according to Head Coach Warren Gatland.
“We have picked a squad that is packed full of experience for what is going to be a challenging, but exciting five match campaign,” said Gatland.
“We will be facing the Six Nations Champions at Twickenham first up and that will be an important start to the tour and will set the tone for the weeks ahead.
“We will have a bit of time together when we land in New Zealand before the first Test then its into three Test matches against the All Blacks plus a midweek match against the Chiefs.
“It is a great opportunity for us to test ourselves, build on the World Cup and the Six Nations and it’s a challenge we are all looking forward to.
“We are in a great position in terms of the experience in the squad especially when you look at the age of most of the players and this is going to be another important summer.”
WALES SQUAD:
FORWARDS: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Paul James (Ospreys) Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Josh Turnbull (Cardiff Blues), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT).
BACKS: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Matthew Morgan (Bristol), Tom James (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
Wales Fixtures: (All times local)
England v Wales, Sunday May 29, Twickenham, KO 15:00
New Zealand v Wales, Saturday June 11, Auckland, KO 19:35
Chiefs v Wales, Tuesday June 14, Hamilton, KO 18:35
New Zealand v Wales, Saturday June 18, Wellington, KO 19:35
New Zealand v Wales, Saturday June 25, Dunedin, KO 19:35
