Lake to lead Wales in Australia as Thomas, Assiratti drop out

Hooker Dewi Lake will captain Wales on their two-test tour of Australia next month, as coach Warren Gatland named three uncapped players in an inexperienced squad ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup that will be staged Down Under.

Gatland is without props Henry Thomas and Keiron Assiratti, the latter having injured his back in Saturday’s 41-13 loss to world champions South Africa at Twickenham, and hooker Elliot Dee who has an ankle problem.

The three uncapped players are wingers Regan Grace and Josh Hathaway, and hooker Efan Daniel.

There are 597 caps between the 34 tourists, an average of under 18 each as Gatland completely revamps his squad following several retirements before and after last year’s World Cup in France, where Wales lost in the quarter-finals to Argentina.

"I’m excited about this squad. We know Australia is a tough place to go and play rugby, but we are relishing the challenge," New Zealander Gatland said in a Welsh Rugby media release.

"We are focusing on getting better as a group. This is a young squad that’s still learning at this level.

"There are lots of positives and good things that we can build on from the weekend and there are also areas that we will be working hard to address over the next few weeks."

Wales play tests in Sydney (July 6) and Melbourne (July 13), and will face Australian Super Rugby franchise the Queensland Reds in Brisbane (July 19).

Wales touring squad:

Forwards: Corey Domachowski, Kemsley Mathias, Gareth Thomas, Efan Daniel, Dewi Lake, Evan Lloyd, Archie Griffin, Dillon Lewis, Harri O’Connor, Ben Carter, Cory Hill, Dafydd Jenkins, Matthew Screech, Christ Tshiunza, James Botham, Mackenzie Martin, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright

Backs: Ellis Bevan, Gareth Davies, Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow, Mason Grady, Eddie James, Ben Thomas, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Rio Dyer, Regan Grace, Josh Hathaway, Liam Williams, Jacob Beetham, Cameron Winnett. REUTERS