Gatland names 47-man squad as 3 players released and star nursing injury

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has announced an updated training squad for the Rugby World Cup 2023, consisting of 47 players. Sam Parry from Ospreys has been called up to join the squad.

However, due to injuries, Ken Owens (back) and Josh Macleod (shoulder) from Scarlets, as well as Will Davies-King (foot) from Cardiff Rugby, have been released from the squad.

Several changes have occurred since the initial preliminary training squad announcement on 1 May. Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, and Rhys Webb have retired from international rugby. Rhys Carre has been released, and Cory Hill has withdrawn from the squad as he is unavailable to participate in the Rugby World Cup.

“We’ve been really pleased with the players’ attitude and commitment throughout the first few weeks of our mini camps.

“The group has worked really hard and there have been a few curve balls from us in terms of testing them mentally and physically as people may have seen in some of our videos.

“Unfortunately we’re having to release Ken, Josh and Will due to injury which is really disappointing, but all three are hoping to be available later in the year should we need an injury replacement at any point.

“Ken has a niggle in his back which he needs some time out to sort. Josh got the injury on club duty – we were hoping to be able to manage it but specialist assessment showed that wasn’t possible. Will picked up the foot injury in training with us which we were managing but then he got re-injured so has been released.

The squad are at the National Centre of Excellence in Hensol and will travel to Fiesch, Switzerland on Monday 3 July for a two-week training camp.

Gatland added: “We’re looking forward to getting the group back together for a few days further training in Wales before we head to Switzerland.

“We’ve done a lot of good preparation already here in Wales and we are heading to Fiesch where we are looking to get the benefits of sleeping at altitude and will kick our training up another gear.

“Owen Williams and Alex Cuthbert won’t travel to Switzerland for personal reasons but we are looking them to attend our training camp in Turkey.

“Taulupe Faletau will travel out to Switzerland for the second week of the training camp as he’s managing a bit of a calf injury and so he can help out at home with his young family following the recent birth of his third child.”

FORWARDS:

Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Rugby)
Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets)
Nicky Smith (Ospreys)
Gareth Thomas (Ospreys)
Elliot Dee (Dragons)
Ryan Elias (Scarlets)
Dewi Lake (Ospreys)
Sam Parry (Ospreys)
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby)
Tomas Francis (Ospreys)
Dillon Lewis (Harlequins)
Henry Thomas (Montpellier)
Adam Beard (Ospreys)
Ben Carter (Dragons)
Rhys Davies (Ospreys)
Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs)
Will Rowlands (Dragons)
Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs)
Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby)
Taine Basham (Dragons)
Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby)
Dan Lydiate (Dragons)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys)
Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons)

BACKS:

Gareth Davies (Scarlets)
Kieran Hardy (Scarlets)
Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby)
Gareth Anscombe (unattached)
Dan Biggar (Toulon)
Sam Costelow (Scarlets)
Owen Williams (Ospreys)
Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby)
Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby)
George North (Ospreys)
Joe Roberts (Scarlets)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens)
Johnny Williams (Scarlets)
Keiran Williams (Ospreys)
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby)
Alex Cuthbert (Ospreys)
Rio Dyer (Dragons)
Cai Evans (Ospreys)
Leigh Halfpenny (unattached)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby)
Tom Rogers (Scarlets)
Liam Williams (Cardiff Rugby)