“Daf has got an injury”- Wales lock Jenkins to miss Japan Tour as Matt Sherratt announces Summer squad

The series against the Brave Blossoms begins with Wales returning to Kitakyushu, where the first Test takes place on 5 July at Mikuni World Stadium. Following that Wales head to Kobe where they will conclude the series on July 12 at Noevir Stadium.

Scroll down for Ruck Rugby’s five main talking points from Tuesday afternoon’s press conference.

After touring with Cardiff Rugby the past two weeks in South Africa, Sherratt will now turn his attention to Wales’ Summer Tour of Japan this July. However, on the morning of the squad announcement the Welsh Rugby Union also unveiled that Sherratt will take the helm for the second time again on an interim basis.

The Cardiff boss took over after Warren Gatland left his role as head coach during the Six Nations after an agonising defeat to Italy in Rome. His first game in charge saw perhaps a change in Welsh Rugby, as he seemed to had brought back a feel good factor despite a defeat to Ireland.

That was indeed short lived as the following two games in the Championship resulted in Wales simply being outmuscled and losing 68-14 at home to England, many would’ve expected that he wouldn’t get another go. Despite all that and with still no confirmation/indication of who will take over as the permanent head coach of Wales, Sherratt has been given the chance to end the run of 17-consecutive Test match defeats.

“I’m excited to get the players together in camp to begin preparations for our summer campaign,” said Sherratt. I think there’s a good blend of experience and young talent selected and that this group has a lot of potential.

“Going to Japan this July is a challenge the coaches and I are relishing. We are expecting a fierce contest from Japan in these Test matches.

“Over the next few weeks in camp, it’s about working hard, getting all our prep right on and off the pitch and gelling together as a group.”

With Sherratt announced as the interim head coach once again, there are also a number of changes to the backroom team. Current coaches, Jonathan Humphreys, Rob Howley, Mike Forshaw won’t be involved in Japan. Whilst Neil Jenkins may still be included having been spotted leaving the Vale on Tuesday afternoon as a kicking coach.

Both Adam Jones and Danny Wilson will join the setup on a secondment from Gallagher Premiership side Harlequins. T. Rhys Thomas will repeat what he did in the Six Nations and come back into the Welsh coaching lineup but this time around as a assistant forwards coach.

Colleague of Sherratt and Wales’ second-most capped player, Gethin Jenkins will be the defence coach for the series, having previously been part of the senior men’s coaching setup with Wales between October 2020 and December 2022.

On the new coaching lineup, who are all on an interim basis, Sherratt stated: “Firstly, going back to Abi’s (Tierney) statement, there’s obviously a big change happening at the moment with the system.

“The WRU were pretty clear they wanted to take an interim staff (to Japan). As soon as they said that, I think it was important, with the limited time, that we’d worked together before.

“I’ve worked with Danny at Cardiff, I work with Gethin now. Gethin and TR have worked together. Adam Jones has played with them. It’s a familiar staff. Having staff harmony rubs off on the players. It’s important I had people I know and trust.

When asked about the present coaches future who he worked alongside during the Six Nations, he added: “I think that’s for the next coach to make that decision, as well as the top of the WRU. That wasn’t something I was comfortable with getting involved in.”

Six uncapped players were selected: Cardiff Rugby hooker Liam Belcher, Dragons RFC tight-head Chris Coleman, Ospreys trio: wing Keelan Giles, scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams and loose-head prop Garyn Phillips, as well as Scarlets back Macs Page. Compare this to the numbers in recent years, 2024 (4 uncapped players named, 2023 (3 uncapped players named), 2022 (2 uncapped players named) and in 2021 (5 uncapped players named).

“I think they fall into different brackets. The likes of Reuben (Morgan-Williams) and the two props, their club form has dictated they deserve a go.

“The likes of Liam Belcher and Keelan Giles, they’ve been consistent regional players for the last six or seven years so they deserve it for those reasons. I wanted to pick players who had been playing regularly, starting for their regions and had earned a cap. And then, in a couple of positions, just some younger boys who may have an exciting future.

“I don’t think it’s our job as coaches to look at the big picture. We’ll be in camp for six or seven weeks. It’s just about getting some familiarity there, and with the world rankings and Japan being one place behind, it’s about going there and trying to get a result.

“That’s part of laying a foundation for the next guy as well. I would love for the next guy to look at the team and think there’s something to build on and not have that losing record around their neck.”

After making his debut during this year’s Six Nations against Ireland, Mee has been left out of the squad as Sherratt stated ‘was the tightest of calls’ when selecting his 14 backs for the Series.

In place of the Scarlets man is uncapped, Keelan Giles who gets the nod instead and will join up with fellow wingers, Josh Adams and Tom Rogers. On the omission of Mee, Sherratt said: “Ellis is not injured.

“We’ve decided to go with Josh, Tom Rogers and Keelan Giles. That was probably one of the hardest decisions. I spoke to Dwayne Peel this morning around some of the rationale around it.

“I think Ellis is going to be a well-capped international. I just feel we need experience, particularly in the backline. I know Keelan isn’t capped, but he came on a tour nine years ago with me to Samoa.

“He’s been in good form and is a regular starter in the URC. I feel his time is right. That was one of the toughest calls. Ellis has a big future.”

Welsh rugby fans already knew from the Six Nations squad that both Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams would not be available having been selected as the only two Welshmen in this year’s British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia. The experienced second-row duo of Adam Beard and Will Rowlands have been both given a break this Summer.

In their place will be Gloucester Rugby’s Freddie Thomas, Dragons’ Ben Carter and Cardiff Rugby’s Teddy Williams. The 2023 Six Nations captain, Dafydd Jenkins will not travel to the far east due to needing elective surgery.

“Daf has got an injury. He’s having elective surgery in the summer. Adam Beard has got a move coming and he’s got a young family. It’s a mix of players injured or unavailable through family circumstances,” concluded Sherratt.