Ellis Jenkins to replace injured Dan Lydiate for New Zealand tour

The Welsh Rugby Union on Sunday announced Cardiff Blues flanker Ellis Jenkins as the replacement for injured Dan Lydiate for the Wales tour of New Zealand in June.

Lydiate, who was leading Wales in the absence of Sam Warburton during the Old Mutual Wealth Cup game against England at Twickenham on Sunday suffered a hamstring injury and was forced out of the field in the 24th minute.

Warren Gatland confirmed the update on Lydiate and further added that the 28-year-old will miss the Wales tour of New Zealand in the next month.

"He is struggling," Gatland said. "He has got a hamstring and potentially an AC (shoulder) injury as well.

"I think Dan has got to process it himself in terms of the tour could already be over for him.

"It is incredibly disappointing that it is unlikely he is going to be getting on the plane (on Monday).

"He will go back to the hotel to have ice and stuff. The assessment from our physios doesn't look very positive at the moment."

The statement released by WRU revealed that Jenkins will join the squad before their departure on Monday.

"Ellis Jenkins has been called into Wales' squad to tour New Zealand after injury to Dan Lydiate," a statement from the governing body read.

"Lydiate, who led Wales against England at Twickenham this afternoon, has suffered a shoulder injury, which he will fail to recover from in time for the three-Test series.

"Uncapped Cardiff Blues flanker Jenkins, a former Wales U20 captain, will link up with the squad before they depart for New Zealand on Monday evening."

Wales' first Test against New Zealand begins on 11th June in Auckland while the remaining two games are scheduled to be played on 18th and 25th June in Wellington and Dunedin respectively.