Sun. Dec 22nd, 2024
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Wales boss Warren Gatland is pondering his lock options after Cardiff’s Seb Davies added to his summer second-row headache by being sent off in their 33-29 defeat by Ospreys.

Davies was shown a red card for a shoulder to the head of Wales centre Owen Watkin in the second Welsh derby of Judgement Day’s regional double-header at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.

He will now await the results of a disciplinary hearing to see if he will miss the chance to play in any of Wales’ four end of season matches.

Davies was called up to the Six Nations squad, but did not feature in the games.

Gatland is due to name his squad on Monday, 3 June to play world champions South Africa at Twickenham on 22 June before two Tests against Australia in July and a tour match against Queensland Reds on 19 July.

Wales are already missing injured locks Adam Beard, Rhys Davies and Teddy Williams for the whole summer schedule.

Exeter locks Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza are unavailable for the game against South Africa because the match is being played outside World Rugby’s international window. Will Rowlands is also a doubt because he plays for French club Racing 92.

Dragons lock Ben Carter and Ospreys lock James Ratti will be options for South Africa, while Cory Hill has been tipped for an international recall after his club spell in Japan.

Other England-based club players – flanker Tommy Reffell, centre Nick Tompkins and prop Archie Griffin – will also be barred from facing the Springboks.

Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright provided an injury scare after limping off at half-time in Dragons’ 32-15 defeat against Scarlets.

Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan said it was a “dead leg” and hopes Wainwright should be fit in a couple of weeks.

Wainwright’s fellow Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau is also unavailable through a shoulder injury while Leon Brown, Joe Roberts, Tom Rogers and Gareth Anscombe will also be missing through injury.

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