Grace gets shock Wales call for Australia tour

Regan Grace is simply a astonishment inclusion successful Wales' 34-strong squad to circuit Australia successful July.

The rugby convention person was only called into nan training squad past week arsenic a replacement for injured Keelan Giles.

The 27-year-old switched codes successful 2022 but superior Achilles injuries person delayed his competitory rugby national debut - which could now travel against Australia.

Giles is among 3 uncapped players named by Warren Gatland, including Cardiff hooker Efan Daniel and Gloucester inferior backmost Josh Hathaway.

Dewi Lake has been named skipper contempt nan return of Six Nations skipper Dafydd Jenkins.

But Wales person been deed pinch a front-row wounded situation pursuing nan nonaccomplishment of Henry Thomas, Keiron Assiratti and Elliot Dee.

Gatland said: "I’m excited astir this Wales squad. We cognize Australia is simply a reliable spot to spell and play rugby but we are relishing nan challenge.

"We’re expecting 2 fiercely contested Test matches down nether and are besides pleased to beryllium capable to play a 3rd fixture against nan Queensland Reds.

"We are focusing connected getting amended arsenic a group. This is simply a young squad that’s still learning astatine this level.

"There are tons of positives and bully things that we tin build connected from nan play and location are besides areas that we will beryllium moving difficult to reside complete nan adjacent fewer weeks."

Grace, Hathaway and Daniel look group to go nan latest caller Wales caps this summer.

Gatland handed Test debuts to scrum-half Ellis Bevan, centre Eddie James, fly-half Jacob Beetham and fastener James Ratti against South Africa connected Saturday.

Port Talbot-born Grace spent six hugely successful seasons successful rugby convention pinch St Helens wherever he won 3 Super League Grand Finals and nan Challenge Cup, and represented Wales.

He joined French rugby national broadside Racing 92 successful 2022 but was sidelined by wounded earlier signing pinch Bath successful February.

Aberystwyth-born Hathaway, who has represented Wales and England astatine under-20 level, offers options astatine full-back and wing.

Daniel joins chap Cardiff hooker Evan Lloyd successful nan squad having been called up conscionable a time aft Sam Parry walked retired of nan squad.

Gatland's resources successful nan beforehand statement person taken a battering successful nan past week.

Having not selected knowledgeable Ospreys prop Nicky Smith, he mislaid Thomas to a ft problem and now Assiratti to a backmost wounded successful Saturday's nonaccomplishment to South Africa.

Dillon Lewis, a seasoned of 57 caps, is included but Archie Griffin and Harri O'Connor person conscionable 3 Test appearances betwixt them.

It is simply a akin communicative astatine hooker pinch Ryan Elias rested and Parry departing nan squad past week having been told he was a fringe subordinate successful nan original squad.

But nan nonaccomplishment of Dee to an ankle wounded successful training intends skipper Lake is supported by Cardiff brace Daniel and Lloyd, who besides person conscionable 3 caps betwixt them.

Forwards: Corey Domachowski (Cardiff), Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Evan Lloyd (Cardiff), Efan Daniel (Cardiff), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dillon Lewis (Harlequins) Harri O'Connor (Scarlets), Ben Carter (Dragons), Cory Hill (Secom Rugguts), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), Matthew Screech (Dragons), Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs), James Botham (Cardiff), Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).

Backs: Ellis Bevan (Cardiff), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Mason Grady (Cardiff), Eddie James (Scarlets), Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Regan Grace (Bath), Josh Hathaway (Gloucester), Liam Williams (Kubota Spears), Jacob Beetham (Cardiff), Cameron Winnett (Cardiff).