5 Key Players Left Out of Wales' Squad for Summer Tour
Image Credit: Marc
There are only five days until Wales takes on South Africa at Twickenham. After the matchup with the Springboks, Warren Gatland's side will head down to Australia. Gatland has selected his squad, but there has been some criticism. Many in-form players have been left out by the New Zealander.
Nicky Smith
The Osprey's prop has been a shining light on a promising Ospreys side this season. Smith was a big reason for the region's success, and it's a shame to see him going to Leicester next season. His scrummaging makes him unique, and Wales has a massive need for this right now. He has a nice blend of ability and experience, which can help Wales on and off the pitch. Smith has played 46 times for Wales and has been a part of some big moments for his country. It will be interesting to see how the Welsh front row holds up this summer. Smith could have impacted this Welsh team because he is carrying a lot of momentum right now. Only time will tell if he ever wears the famous red jersey again.
Morgan Morris
The regional superstar who never gets the chance to shine on the international stage is Morgan Morris's story. Ospreys' number eight was once again not in Gatland's 36-man squad. The 25-year-old is one of the most consistent players in Wales and has been for a while now. His dynamic ball-carrying is what makes him stand out compared to other players. Defensively, he is consistent, and Morris makes 95% of the tackles he attempts. Morris has the ability and drive to make a real difference for Wales. It is safe to say that there is a lot of frustration over his absence.
Dan Edwards
Dan Edwards looks to be an exciting prospect at the Ospreys. The 21-year-old has put on some fantastic displays for the region. A substantial part of the young fly-half's game is his kicking ability on and off the tee. Edwards is a very accurate goal kicker and makes the opposition pay every time they give a penalty away in kicking range. The Welshman adds something to the team every time he steps onto the field. One of Wales' biggest issues is who will wear the 10 shirt. If Edwards keeps on the trajectory, there is no reason why he couldn’t be a future star for Wales.
Liam Belcher
Liam Belcher has been a mainstay in the Cardiff squad for a while now. He is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. The Welshman picked up the Peter Thomas Player of the Year award. The 28-year-old is a great defender and ball carrier; he's also fantastic at getting over the ball for turnovers. Evan Lloyd, whom Belcher often starts over, is on the plane to Australia. It makes you think about what Belcher has to do to get noticed by Gatland and his coaching team.
Keiran Williams
Keiran Williams has been a standout in the centre for Ospreys. He made an appearance for his country last year against England. Williams runs hard at the opposition and has a nose for the try line. Wales desperately needs depth at inside centre behind Nick Tompkins. Williams could fill that hole nicely and even offer something new to the team.
It will be interesting to see how Wales performs this summer and what it means for the future.