Eight Ospreys players have been included in 32-man training squad to prepare for the forthcoming two-test tour of Japan.
The news comes just 24 hours after the region had the biggest Welsh representation in the British & Irish Lions squad for Australia with five included, and follows on from seven Eyasses being named last week in the U20 squad for this summer's Junior World Championships.Head coach for the tour, Robin McBryde, has selected a squad that includes 15 players who formed part of the successful 2013 RBS 6 Nations squad and features 11 uncapped players. Wales face Japan in Osaka on Saturday, 8 June in the first Test before travelling to Tokyo for the second fixture a week later on Saturday, 15 June 15.??The training squad will be reduced ahead of the tour with 27 players travelling to Japan.??
Alongside some familiar Ospreys names in the squad there are a trio of players involved in the Wales set-up for the first time. Hooker Scott Baldwin from Bridgend is rewarded for his form over the last 12 months with a call-up, while 20 year-old number eight Dan Baker from Ystradgynlais is included after just three regional appearances in the LV= Cup and PRO12, all coming in 2013.
Behind the pack, 18-year old Abercrave product Dafydd Howells is also included for the first time after making his senior regional bow in this season's LV= Cup. He also captained Wales U18 earlier this season.
The other Ospreys included are Ryan Bevington, James King, Dan Biggar and Ashley Beck, with Jonathan Spratt getting his first call since picking up two caps on the 2009 tour to Canada and the USA.
In the front-row Bevington and fellow 6 Nations squad members Ken Owens (Scarlets), Scott Andrews (Blues) and Craig Mitchell are joined by Baldwin, Rhys Gill (Saracens), Sam Hobbs (Blues)and Scarlets duo Emyr Phillips and Rhodri Jones.??
Bradley Davies (Blues) returns from injury to be named in the squad and is joined by his Blues team-mate Lou Reed in the second row. Andrew Coombs (Dragons) who made his debut against Ireland in February is included along with King.
Aaron Shingler and Rob McCusker (both Scarlets) feature along with uncapped trio of Baker, Josh Navidi and Andries Pretorius (both Blues).??Lloyd Williams (Blues), Tavis Knoyle and Aled Davies (both Scarlets) are named as the scrum-halves alongside fly-halves Rhys Priestland (Scarlets) and Biggar.? As well as the Ospreys trio of Beck, Spratt and Howells the backline also features Harry Robinson and Owen Williams (both Blues), Scarlets duo Scott Williams and Liam Williams and Tom Prydie (Dragons) and Steven Shingler (London Irish).
"We have selected a squad with the right blend of experience and youth and this is a great opportunity for players to make their mark on the international stage,"said McBryde.??
"It's a chance for some players to experience the international environment for the first time but it's also an opportunity for players who have been involved previously to take the next step as we look to develop leaders.??
"We are travelling to Japan as RBS 6 Nations Champions and are focused on the two-Tests that await us there and we will be looking to finish the season on a high."
Wales Training Squad:?
Forwards:Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Rhys Gill (Saracens), Sam Hobbs (Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Scott Andrews (Blues), Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Blues), Lou Reed (Blues), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Rob McCusker (Scarlets), Andries Pretorius (Blues), Josh Navidi (Blues).?
Backs:Lloyd Williams (Blues), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Aled Davis (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Ashley Beck (Ospreys), Owen Williams (Blues), Jonathan Spratt (Ospreys), Dafydd Howells (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Harry Robinson (Blues), Tom Prydie (Dragons), Steven Shingler (London Irish).