Uncapped Leicester Tigers flanker Tommy Reffell has been named in Wales' squad to tour South Africa at the expense of in-form Ospreys openside Jac Morgan, while Jonathan Davies is a big-name absentee.
Reffell is a former age-grade skipper and has regularly been touted for a call-up in recent seasons. But this term he has been a standout for Gallagher Premiership leaders Leicester and Pivac could not resist. With it being a summer tour, the England-based 23-year-old will be in camp for the entire series, rather than having to return to his club during fallow weeks like in the Six Nations.
Meanwhile, experienced centre Davies has been omitted, with George North returning to the fray after returning from a serious knee injury.
READ MORE: Pivac tells Jac Morgan he needs to be bigger and stronger after dropping him
Alun Wyn Jones has been named in the squad but continues to relinquish the captaincy to fly-half Dan Biggar, who continues in the role after leading Wales during the recent Six Nations.
Wales' squad of 33 is the smallest that Pivac has named since he took over in 2019. It will also be the same size as squads at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Fly-half Rhys Patchell is included in a Wales squad for the first time since autumn 2020. Injuries and concussion issues have plagued the 29-year-old's last 18 months and he ended the season battling for the Scarlets' No. 10 jersey with an in-form Sam Costelow. Patchell gets the place of Callum Sheedy, who has been a mainstay in Pivac's previous squads.
Josh Adams has been named in the squad despite suffering a knee injury and missing Cardiff's run-in. He is joined in the back-three squadron by Alex Cuthbert, Louis Rees-Zammit and Liam Williams.
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Davies, the 96-cap centre, captained Wales during the autumn campaign and had looked in decent form for the Scarlets of late. But he has been overlooked with the centre quartet of North, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin and Johnny Williams getting the nod.
Elsewhere, notable inclusions are hooker Sam Parry, who has not been involved in a Wales Test since last summer, and tight-head Leon Brown, currently battling nerve damage. Another injured player, Will Rowlands, also gets in the squad of 33 and Dan Lydiate returns to the fold.
Missing the tour through injury are Ken Owens, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty, Christ Tshiunza, Aaron Wainwright, Uilisi Halaholo, Leigh Halfpenny and Johnny McNicholl.
Wales boss Pivac said: “We’ve had some players come back from injury like George North so that’s exciting for the squad. Some players have been ruled out through injury, so there’s naturally going to be change there. Then we’ve looked at players’ form, who we are playing, where we’re playing – we have two games at altitude – and what our gameplan will be when considering selection.
“I spoke to Tommy Reffell before we announced the squad for the Six Nations. We looked hard at Tommy and decided to leave him out then. He’s played very well since, he’s been very consistent – one of the most consistent players in the English Premiership – so we feel that he deserves an opportunity and he will be well tested on this tour.
“This three-Test series is going to be a challenge. It always has been, history shows that and certainly that’s what we’re looking to achieve – to get a victory there if not two and win a series. The first two Tests at altitude that’s going to be a challenge, so first and foremost we’ve got to do a lot of preparation here in Wales before we go and make sure we are in the best shape possible to perform well."
On the captaincy, Pivac added: “Dan Bigger is named captain. We’ve obviously got great leadership in the group with Alun Wyn and Dan. Dan did well in the Six Nations and Al has come back from a pretty big lay-off. He’s had a little bit of rugby and we want him to hit his straps as a second row and be the best player he can be and focus on playing. He’ll lead naturally anyway but certainly he’s looking forward to that challenge.”
Wales summer squad to tour South Africa:
Forwards (19): Rhys Carre, Wyn Jones, Gareth Thomas, Ryan Elias, Dewi Lake, Sam Parry, Leon Brown, Tomas Francis, Dillon Lewis, Adam Beard, Ben Carter, Alun Wyn Jones, Will Rowlands, Taine Basham, Taulupe Faletau, Dan Lydiate, Josh Navidi, James Ratti, Tommy Reffell.
Backs (14): Gareth Davies, Kieran Hardy, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Dan Biggar (capt), Rhys Patchell, George North, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Johnny Williams, Josh Adams, Alex Cuthbert, Louis Rees-Zammit, Liam Williams.
