England miss out on Leicester Tigers star following Wales call-up
Rugby NewsWednesday, 18 May 2022 at 12:41
Wales men’s head coach Wayne Pivac has named a 33-player squad for the three-Test Series in South Africa this July – the national squad’s first visit to the country since 2014.
There are two uncapped players: Cardiff Rugby’s James Ratti is called up after featuring in the 2022 Guinness Six Nations squad while Leicester Tigers’ Tommy Reffell, who had been linked with an England call-up, is selected in a Wales senior men’s squad for the first time.
Meanwhile, George North and Dan Lydiate return for international duty after extended periods out with injury. Ospreys’ teammate Sam Parry will join them in camp with Wales.
Dan Biggar will continue to captain the squad for this Test series following his appointment in the Six Nations.
WALES SQUAD FOR SOUTH AFRICA TEST SERIES
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)
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) Captain
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)
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) Captain
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)
Players unavailable for selection due to injury:
Ken Owens, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty, Christ Tshiunza, Aaron Wainwright, Uilisi Halaholo, Leigh Halfpenny, Johnny McNicholl
Ken Owens, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty, Christ Tshiunza, Aaron Wainwright, Uilisi Halaholo, Leigh Halfpenny, Johnny McNicholl
JULY TEST SERIES FIXTURES
Sat 02/07/22
South Africa v Wales – 1st Test, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 16.05h (Sky Sports)
South Africa v Wales – 1st Test, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 16.05h (Sky Sports)
Sat 09/07/22
South Africa v Wales – 2nd Test, Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein 16.05h (Sky Sports)
South Africa v Wales – 2nd Test, Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein 16.05h (Sky Sports)
Sat 16/07/22
South Africa v Wales – 3rd Test, DHL Stadium, Cape Town 16.05h (Sky Sports)
South Africa v Wales – 3rd Test, DHL Stadium, Cape Town 16.05h (Sky Sports)
5 players you didn’t know could swap nations in 2022, including Danny Cipriani
Below, we pick out five players you didn't know could swap nations in 2022, including former England international Danny Cipriani.
#1. Zach Mercer (England to New Zealand)
- Age: 24
- Position: Number 8
- Current number of caps: 2
- Last cap: November, 2018
- Did you know? His father is former rugby league footballer and coach Gary Mercer, who played for New Zealand and the New Zealand Māori rugby league team
Making waves in the Top 14 and Europe with Montpellier, Mercer pulling on the famous All Black jersey would be as shocking a switch of nationality that the game has ever seen.
Described as 'fat and lazy' by England boss Eddie Jones before his international debut, this would be the ultimate way to prove the Aussie wrong.
The only drawback to the switch is to become eligible for New Zealand he'd have to join one of their Super Rugby sides.
Zach Mercer of England goes over for a try during the Quilter Cup Match between England and Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on May 27. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#2. Matt Kvesic
- Age: 29
- Position: Back-row
- Current number of caps: 4
- Last cap: September, 2019
- Did you know? Born in Germany to English parents, Kvesic made his senior debut for Worcester in the Anglo-Welsh Cup against the Scarlets on 14 November 2009, becoming the youngest player to represent the Warriors in the professional era
Exeter Chiefs player Matt Kvesic during the warm up before the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Sale Sharks and Exeter Chiefs at JW Bell Stadium on March 2nd - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
#3. George McGuigan (England Saxons to Ireland)
- Age: 29
- Position: Hooker
- Current number of caps: 2
- Last cap: June, 2016
- Did you know? McGuigan represented Ireland U18 and U20 before switching his allegiance to England
The 28-year-old, who is the second top try-scorer in the Gallagher Premiership with 14, continues to be overlooked by England boss Eddie Jones. Munster, who want to strengthen their hooking options, are now reportedly keeping tabs on the Newcastle Falcons’ ace according to The Rugby Paper.
#4. Jack Dempsey (Australia to Scotland)
- Age: 28
- Position: Number 8
- Current number of caps: 14
- Last cap: October, 2018
- Did you know? A keen all-round sportsman, Cipriani played junior football for Queens Park Rangers and was offered youth terms by Reading
Interestingly, the Wallabies number 8 will become eligible to play for Scotland less than three weeks before they take on Australia in October during the 2022 Autumn Nations Series.
#5. Danny Cipriani (England to Trinidad & Tobago)
- Age: 34
- Position: Fly-half
- Current number of caps: 16
- Last cap: June, 2018
- Did you know? A keen all-round sportsman, Cipriani played junior football for Queens Park Rangers and was offered youth terms by Reading
It’s suggested that the switch could be funded by World Rugby, who are looking to encourage former elite rugby players to represent third tier nations to help raise the sports profile in that country.
Cipriani has been heavily linked with a move to Major League Rugby in the USA after the fly-half confirmed he will be heading 'to a new country' following his departure from Bath at the end of the season.
The 34-year-old’s father is Afro-Trinidadian with some Italian heritage while his mother is English. They’re currently ranked 53rd in the world.
Bath Rugby player Danny Cipriani during the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Nov 5th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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