Rugby: Gibbs out of Wales touring squad
Scott Gibbs will not tour Japan with Wales this summer following his shock omission from the Lions squad.
Swansea skipper Gibbs, who is currently recovering from a broken thumb, made himself unavailable for the five-match trip, which kicks off against Japanese club champions Suntory in Tokyo on June 3.
He would have been the favourite to captain a 38-man Wales squad containing 17 uncapped players, but that position will be filled by his club colleague, second-row forward Andy Moore.
Wales must travel without their 10 Lions Dafydd James, Mark Taylor, Neil Jenkins, Rob Howley, Darren Morris, Robin McBryde, David Young, Martyn Williams, Colin Charvis and Scott Quinnell plus Australia-bound national coach and Lions supremo Graham Henry.
But there are still plenty of experienced players making the two-Test tour.
Coach Lynn Howells, who deputises for Henry, will expect significant contributions from people like captain Moore, Allan Bateman, Gareth Thomas, Ben Evans, Ian Gough, Craig Quinnell and Nathan Budgett.
The sizeable uncapped contingent features 19-year-old Cardiff flanker Robin Sowden-Taylor, who only made his club debut last weekend, promising Bristol hooker Saul Nelson and gifted Swansea fly-half prospect Gavin Henson.
Cardiff have the highest number of players with eight, followed by Swansea’s six, then Newport and Llanelli with four each.
Howells’ support team includes Wales rugby league coach and defence specialist Clive Griffiths, Cardiff backs expert Geraint John and former Ebbw Vale coach Leigh Jones, who will take charge of the forwards.
Wales face two Test match appointments with Japan, in Osaka on June 10 and Tokyo seven days later.
Wales squad to tour Japan.
Full-backs: R Williams (Cardiff), K Morgan (Swansea).
Wings: G Thomas (Cardiff), C Morgan (Cardiff), M Jones (Llanelli), S Williams (Neath).
Centres: A Bateman (Northampton), J Robinson (Cardiff), J Jones-Hughes (Newport), T Shanklin (Saracens), S Jones (Llanelli), A Durston (Bridgend).
Fly-halves: G Henson (Swansea), L Jarvis (Pontypridd).
Scrum-halves: G Cooper (Bath), R Powell (Cardiff), D Peel (Llanelli).
Props: I Thomas (Ebbw Vale), D Jones (Neath), P Booth (Llanelli), C Anthony (Swansea), C Jones (Newport), B Evans (Swansea).
Hookers: A Lewis (Cardiff), S Nelson (Bristol), S Jones (Neath).
Locks: D Jones (Ebbw Vale), I Gough (Newport), C Quinnell (Cardiff), C Stephens (Bridgend), A Moore (Swansea, capt).
Back-row: A Lloyd (Bath), A Popham (Newport), N Budgett (Ebbw Vale), R Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff), G Thomas (Bath), M Owen (Pontypridd), G Lewis (Swansea).
Coach: Lynn Howells. Manager: Sam Simon.
Itinerary: June 3 Suntory (Tokyo);
June 6 Japan XV (Osaka);
June 10 Japan (Osaka);
June 13 Pacific Barbarians (Tokyo);
June 17 Japan (Tokyo).
