Wales’ summer tour preparations have been hit by controversy after hooker Sam Parry left the squad with immediate effect because he felt disrespected by head coach Warren Gatland.
Mail Sport can reveal Ospreys forward Parry departed Wales’ Vale of Glamorgan training base ahead of Saturday’s game with South Africa at Twickenham and the three-match trip to Australia.
Parry has seven Test caps to his name and earlier this month was named in a 36-man Wales training party for their four upcoming games.
The 32-year-old had been working with Wales in camp and was hoping to be in contention to face the Springboks and then make the final squad who will travel to the southern hemisphere.
Parry was under the impression he was a full member of Gatland’s wider playing base, but it is understood that earlier this week he was told – much to his surprise – that he was only involved to help prepare the team for Australia.
Sam Parry has left Wales’ squad after feeling disrespected by coach Warren Gatland (above)
Parry has seven Test caps to his name and earlier this month was named in a 36-man Wales training party
Parry had previously received less kit than his fellow squad members when Wales met up for the first time this summer.
Then, in a team meeting this week, Mail Sport understands Wales’ other hooker options were discussed with Parry mentioned as an afterthought. It was the final straw for the player who left the set-up soon after.
Parry’s departure preceded an injury to his fellow hooker Elliot Dee. It means neither Parry nor Dee will now be a part of the Australia trip. Gatland has subsequently called-up Cardiff rookie Efan Daniel.
Dewi Lake is Wales’ starting hooker and captain against South Africa with Evan Lloyd in reserve. That pair, as well as Daniel, will now be the three hookers for Wales’ Australia tour.
The treatment of Parry is understood to have caused shock within the Wales squad as he is a well-respected player thanks to his consistent displays at regional level.
He has had a strong campaign for the Ospreys as they punched well above their weight in the United Rugby Championship. Parry performed well and has been a regular starter with his regional team-mate Lake having missed a large part of the club season just finished due to injury.
Wales gear up to face South Africa on Saturday at Twickenham ahead of their summer tour
The Welsh Rugby Union was asked for comment on Parry’s departure from their squad.
Parry’s loss is another blow for Wales ahead of a crucial run of fixtures and raises significant questions about the team environment.
Gatland’s squad has also been hit hard by injury. Prop Henry Thomas was a late withdrawal from the team to face South Africa with a foot problem, meaning Keiron Assiratti will start at No 3.
Harri O’Connor has been promoted to the bench but with another tighthead prop option in Dillon Lewis not currently fully fit, Ben Warren of the Ospreys has been added to Gatland’s squad.
Lock Cory Hill wasn’t considered to face South Africa due to a calf problem.
A groin injury suffered by Keelan Giles in training this week led to Wales calling up former rugby league try machine Regan Grace who has never played a competitive game in union.
Against this backdrop of injury and Parry’s shock departure, Wales must somehow try and rouse themselves to take on a formidable South African side.
The reality is the vast differences between the two teams in terms of international class and experience means it is likely to be a very difficult afternoon for Gatland’s men. Another key Wales player in flanker Jac Morgan – who co-captained his country at last year’s World Cup alongside Lake – has already been ruled out of the entire summer by a hamstring problem.
Ospreys winger Keelan Giles suffered a groin injury in training this week and won’t be available
South Africa have won the last two World Cups and will play for the first time since lifting the William Webb Ellis Cup in France last year against Wales.
Gatland will confirm his final squad for Australia – plus a tour captain – after the match. He will be able to add his players at clubs in England who are ineligible to face South Africa because the game takes place outside of World Rugby’s designated Test window.‘
Being able to test yourself against the beat team in the world is an exciting challenge – all the boys are up for it,’ said Wales No 8 Aaron Wainwright.
‘There are a lot of big names playing for them. Any time you come up against the world champions, it is going to be a tough test.
‘We are looking forward to that and hopefully proving some people wrong.
‘It is a challenge. If we want to get better, this is the game to test ourselves. We have talked a lot about being brave and us being the aggressors in the game and being confident.’
Meanwhile, lock Cory Hill wasn’t considered to face South Africa because of a calf problem
South Africa: Aphelele Fassi; Edwill van der Merwe, Jesse Kriel, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi; Jordan Hendrikse, Faf de Klerk; Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Pieter-Steph du Toit (capt), Evan Roos
Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, Ben-Jason Dixon, Grant Williams, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian de Allende
Wales: Cameron Winnett; Liam Williams, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady, Rio Dyer; Sam Costelow, Ellis Bevan; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter, Taine Plumtree, James Botham, Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Harri O’Connor, James Ratti, Mackenzie Martin, Gareth Davies, Eddie James, Jacob Beetham
