**Major Names Absent as 21 Players Miss Out on Wales Six Nations Tour to Japan**
Wales’ rugby union team is set to embark on its summer tour of Japan with a notably altered squad, as interim head coach Matt Sherratt unveiled his selections, opting for a fresh approach while omitting 21 players who featured in the most recent Six Nations. This move signals a shift in strategy, with a blend of new faces, returnees, and promising talent, but naturally raises questions about the absence of several household names.
Among the biggest talking points is the omission of James Botham, considered one of Wales’ standout performers despite a turbulent season. Botham’s continued strong form for Cardiff led many to take his selection for granted, yet Sherratt has leaned towards other options in Tommy Reffell and Josh Macleod, the latter having delivered impressive performances for the Scarlets.
Some omissions are the result of injury, while others are due to a changing of the guard as Sherratt introduces players with little or no Test experience. Max Llewellyn, previously called in by Sherratt during the Six Nations, misses out after being sidelined with injury at Gloucester. The timing of his return did not align with the tour preparation, prompting selectors to give him the summer off to recuperate. Similarly, Liam Williams, who would have offered crucial experience at full-back, continues his recovery from knee surgery, leaving the position to be contested by Cameron Winnett and Blair Murray.
In other cases, players have simply been edged out by in-form competitors. Ellis Mee, who made a commendable debut for Wales in the recent Six Nations, is not injured, but Sherratt admitted this to be one of his most difficult decisions. The coach emphasised the need for experience, opting for Keelan Giles, whose consistent URC appearances made the difference.
Wales’ representation on the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia also explains some voids. Star scrum-half Tomos Williams and commanding flanker Jac Morgan will be wearing Lions red rather than the Wales jersey this summer, creating opportunities for others such as Kieran Hardy, Reuben Morgan-Williams, and Rhodri Williams to step up.
Warren Gatland protege Evan Lloyd, once seen as a dynamic hooker with bags of potential, currently finds himself behind Cardiff’s Liam Belcher in the pecking order. Belcher’s reliability and leadership at United Rugby Championship level have earned the coach’s faith, and as such, Lloyd is left out this time, despite solid form.
Neither can Wales call on Exeter Chiefs’ Dafydd Jenkins this summer, with the WRU confirming that the influential second-row will be undergoing elective surgery. His absence is widely pronounced, given his growing stature in Welsh rugby, and will certainly be felt by the touring side.
Meanwhile, the selectors appear to be investing in youth with the exclusion of veterans such as Gareth Anscombe, who has given sterling service but is heading towards the twilight of his career. With Anscombe set to join Bayonne and Sherratt keen to look at Dan Edwards and Sam Costelow in the fly-half role, the focus is evidently on the future, even at the expense of experience.
For some players, injury woes have come at the worst possible time. Josh Hathaway is recuperating from an ankle injury, and Owen Watkin is still recovering from a severe knee injury suffered earlier in the season. Likewise, Henry Thomas—the Scarlets standout tighthead—must seek specialist medical guidance for a long-term condition, according to the WRU, which rules him out of selection contention.
The rationale behind other exclusions rests on recent form and selection philosophy. Kemsley Mathias, once a fixture, suffered a calf injury and lost out to the emerging Garyn Phillips, while Christ Tshiunza’s presence was perhaps less expected after a difficult season with struggling Exeter Chiefs. Nick Tompkins and Eddie James find themselves left out as Sherratt tries different midfield options, including the in-form Johnny Williams and promising Ben Thomas.
As Wales prepare to head for Japan with a notably reshuffled group, this summer’s tour will undoubtedly serve as a major test for those newly elevated to international duty. Sherratt’s selections unmistakably point to an appetite for experimentation and future planning, providing valuable opportunities while inevitably leaving some familiar faces on the outside looking in. As always in international rugby, shifts in personnel invite both optimism and scrutiny, with many supporters eager to see how this new-look side fares on a demanding overseas campaign.