Jonathan Davies leads new-look Wales into battle

JONATHAN Davies will captain Wales in their summer Tests against Canada and Argentina.

Coach Wayne Pivac has named five uncapped players: Ospreys prop Gareth Thomas, Dragons pair Ben Carter and Taine Basham, Cardiff Blues centre Ben Thomas and Scarlets wing Tom Rogers in his 34-man party.

Ospreys prop Thomas is selected ahead of Rhys Carre and is one of three looseheads from his region named alongside Rhodri Jones and Nicky Smith.

Wales, without ten players on tour with the Lions, face Canada on July 3 with Tests against Argentina on July 10 and 17.

Pivac believes Dragons lock Carter, 20, could prove a long-term successor to Alun Wyn Jones.

“Ben is a fabulous young player,” he said. “For a young guy that’s stepped into the Dragons team, he’s earned a lot of starts and Dean Ryan has worked him well. He’s shown that he’s got a very big future in the game. When you look at long-term replacements for Alun Wyn, he’s a young man that has shown all the credentials.”

On Basham, who was included ahead of Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell and Dan Thomas, Pivac said: “We’ve had Taine before in the squad, he broke his arm and had some injuries along the way. We’ve got to have ball-players that can get us over the gain line and as a seven, he can do that.

“He’s done well coming off the bench and who knows, he may get an opportunity off the bench for us.”

Dragons scrum-half Williams, 28, is recalled after a seven-year absence with Rhys Webb and Lloyd Williams left out.

Back rower Turnbull, 33, is rewarded for his fine form with Cardiff Blues with his last international appearance in 2018.

Pivac said: “With Ross (Moriarty) coming back in, and a guy like Josh, and the loose forwards in particular, it gives us a little bit more edge.”