Sherratt backs experience for Japan

WALES coach Matt Sherratt has revealed how the absence of recent captains Jac Morgan and Dafydd Jenkins has had a significant bearing on the selection of the squad for the summer tour of Japan.

- By SIMON THOMAS

Flanker Morgan will be away with the British & Irish Lions in Australia, while second row Jenkins is to undergo surgery.

So hooker Dewi Lake, right, will be skipper for the two-Test series in July against Eddie Jones’ Japan as Wales look to end a 17-match losing run.

As interim head coach Sherratt explains Lake will be supported by a number of players with leadership experience.

“We thought about that when we selected,” he said. “Liam Belcher captains Cardiff, Ben Carter has captained the Dragons, Josh Macleod skippers the Scarlets, Gareth Thomas has captained the Ospreys. They are not all experienced at international level, but they have got a voice and they have got the ear of a lot of the group. It’s a pretty even spread between the regions. That was genuinely a big reason in terms of some of the selections, trying to get some experienced lads on the tour. I think it was important to do that.”

That’s demonstrated by six of the 33-man squad having 40 or more caps, with 13 in double figures.