"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 and be the best player he can be" - Pivac
Thursday 19 May 2022 12:11, UK
Wayne Pivac has named Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate and George North in his Wales squad for their three-Test tour of South Africa, live on Sky Sports, with Dan Biggar remaining as captain.
Lydiate (knee) and North (knee) return after lengthy spells out injured, while 36-year-old Jones will not resume his captaincy despite returning in the Six Nations defeat to Italy from another shoulder injury.
There are also two uncapped players named in the squad as Cardiff back-row James Ratti and Leicester Tigers back-row Tommy Reffell are included.
Experienced centre Jonathan Davies is a notable omission, while there are also no places for flanker Jac Morgan, Seb Davies, Callum Sheedy, Rhys Webb or Owen Lane.
"We've had some players come back from injury like George North so that's exciting for the squad," Pivac said.
"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 are 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 will face South Africa in the first Test at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday July 2, live on Sky Sports.
From there Pivac's squad will head to the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein for the second Test on Saturday Juy 9, before completing the series at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday July 16, with both of those Tests also on Sky Sports.
Forwards (19): Rhys Carre (Cardiff Rugby - 16 caps), Wyn Jones (Scarlets - 43 caps), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys - 10 caps), Ryan Elias (Scarlets - 27 caps), Dewi Lake (Ospreys - 5 caps), Sam Parry (Ospreys - 5 caps), Leon Brown (Dragons - 22 caps), Tomas Francis (Ospreys - 64 caps), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby - 38 caps), Adam Beard (Ospreys - 34 caps), Ben Carter (Dragons - 6 caps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys - 150 caps), Will Rowlands (Dragons - 18 caps), Taine Basham (Dragons - 10 caps), Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby - 89 caps), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys - 65 caps), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby - 30 caps), James Ratti (Cardiff Rugby - uncapped), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers - uncapped)
Backs (14): Gareth Davies (Scarlets - 67 caps), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets - 11 caps), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby - 33 caps), Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys - 31 caps), Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints - 100 caps), Rhys Patchell (Scarlets - 21 caps), George North (Ospreys - 102 caps), Nick Tompkins (Saracens - 20 caps), Owen Watkin (Ospreys - 31 caps), Johnny Williams (Scarlets - 5 caps), Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby - 39 caps), Alex Cuthbert (Ospreys - 51 caps), Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby - 16 caps), Liam Williams (Scarlets - 78 caps).
