Wales duo set for Test return against Japan

LONDON (AFP) –

Wales’ fly-half Rhys Priestland in action on September 18, 2011. Bradley Davies and Priestland are set to be back in Test action when Wales tour Japan next month.

Bradley Davies and Rhys Priestland are set to be back in Test action when Wales tour Japan next month.

Both second row Davies and fly-half Priestland missed this season’s Six Nations through injury, a tournament where Wales were crowned champions, but the duo were named Wednesday in a 32-man preliminary squad for the two-Test tour of Japan.

Robin McBryde, in charge of Wales while Warren Gatland and Rob Howley are seconded to the British and Irish Lions, will reduce his squad to 27 players before the tour party leaves for Japan, where they will play internationals in Osaka on June 8 and in Tokyo seven days later.

There are 11 uncapped players in McBryde’s squad, which is not that much of a surprise given it was published just a day after 15 Welshmen were included in the Lions party for their upcoming tour of Australia.

“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,” McBryde said.

“It’s a chance for some players to experience the international environment for the first time, but it is 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 focussed on the two-Tests that await us there. We will be looking to finish the season on a high.”

Squad

Backs: Steven Shingler (London Irish/ENG), Tom Prydie (Newport-Gwent Dragons), Harry Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Dafydd Howells (Ospreys), Jonathan Spratt (Ospreys), Owen Williams (Cardiff Blues), Ashley Beck (Ospreys), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Aled Davis (Scarlets)

Forwards: Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Rhys Gill (Saracens/ENG), Sam Hobbs (Cardiff Blues), Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), Craig Mitchell (Exeter/ENG), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues), Lou Reed (Cardiff Blues), Andrew Coombs (Newport-Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Rob McCusker (Scarlets), Andries Pretorius (Cardiff Blues), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues)