Thursday 30 May 2013

Wales v Japan: Josh Navidi and Adam Warren replace injured duo

Cardiff Blues flanker Josh Navidi and Scarlets centre Adam Warren have been added to the Wales squad to face Japan.


Uncapped Navidi, 22, takes the place of Scarlets’ Aaron Shingler, who has failed to recover from a foot injury.


Warren, also 22, whose sole Wales cap came against the Barbarians, comes in after a groin injury ruled out Ospreys back Ashley Beck.


Wales, under caretaker coach Robin McBryde, play two Tests in Japan on 8 and 15 June.


McBryde had already lost three established national squad members to injury ahead of the original squad announcement.


Hooker Ken Owens (neck), centre Scott Williams (shoulder) and fly-half Rhys Priestland (Achilles) were all ruled out after picking up injuries playing for Scarlets in their Pro12 semi-final defeat by Ulster.


Navidi’s inclusion means Wales now have a specialist open-side flanker in the squad.


Shingler, more accustomed to the blind-side role, had been the favourite to wear the number seven shirt having covered in the absence of Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric for Wales against Scotland in the 2012 Six Nations.


Beck was also expected to start the first Test in Osaka, with Cardiff’s Owen Williams and Ospreys’ Jonathan Spratt chosen as the other specialist centres.


Wales, who are without 15 players and coaches Warren Gatland and Rob Howley who are all on British and Irish Lions duty, leave for Japan on Sunday.



Wales v Japan: Josh Navidi and Adam Warren replace injured duo

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