Three Players Pulled From Wales Squad As Premiership Clubs Refuse Release

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Josh Adams (Worcester), Tomas Francis (Exeter) and Luke Charteris (Bath) have been pulled from Wales’s summer tour squad after their Premiership clubs refused to release them early.

All three players will take no part in Wales’ games against South Africa and Argentina and have been immediately replaced in Warren Gatland’s touring party.

Wales’ first game against South Africa on June 2 falls outside of the official World Rugby Test window, meaning the clubs are not obliged to release the players. The decision however, is a strange one with Bath and Worcester finishing up their season a couple of weeks back, while Exeter will play until May 26th at the latest if they make the Premiership final.

While the trio would be eligible for the remaining games, a decision has been made to pull them completely from the tour. Ashton Hewitt, Rhodri Jones and Aaron Wainwright have been called up as replacements.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) have also confirmed Cardiff Blues back-row forward Josh Navidi has been ruled out of the tour after dislocating a shoulder in their Challenge Cup win last weekend.

[WalesOnline]

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