Jonathan Davies to lead Wales during summer Tests

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has named centre Jonathan Davies as the captain for the upcoming summer Test clashes against Canada and Argentina.

The decision follows after regular skipper Alun Wyn Jones along with nine other Wales players will be involved in the British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa.

Davies, who has played 88 Tests has already captained Wales during the 2019 Six Nations game against Italy. He also featured in six Tests for the Lions that came in the 2013 and 2017 tours of Australia and New Zealand respectively.

The squad also has five uncapped players in Ospreys prop Gareth Thomas, Dragons pair Ben Carter and Taine Basham, Cardiff Blues centre Ben Thomas and Scarlets wing Tom Rogers which will give Pivac an opportunity to witness them as they look to build towards the 2023 World Cup.

Leigh Halfpenny is set to make his 100th Test appearance during the series while Jonah Holmes and Ross Moriarty return from injuries with recalls for Josh Turnbull and Rhodri Williams.

"We are really looking forward to this summer, getting to work with this squad and the three home tests that we will face," said Pivac.

"It is great that we are able to select five uncapped players in the squad. It is an opportunity, much like the autumn campaign last year, to get these players into the environment and to expose them to Test match preparation and in some cases test match rugby.

"This summer isn't just about the uncapped players it is also about internationals gaining more experience. It is a chance for them to get more starts and appearances under their belt and to step into leadership roles so it is going to be an important period for us.

"We will have a training camp in north Wales before returning to Cardiff for our three matches so it is a great block of time we have together.

"Whilst the Six Nations success is still fresh in many people's memories it is important we continue to build both depth and our game as we continue to the RWC 2023."

Wales will face Canada on 3rd July and it will be followed with two-Test series against Argentina scheduled on 10th and 17th July.

Wales squad:

Forwards: Rhodri Jones (Ospreys), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Sam Parry (Ospreys), Leon Brown (Dragons), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Ben Carter (Dragons), Cory Hill (Cardiff Rugby), Will Rowlands (Wasps), Taine Basham (Dragons), James Botham (Cardiff Rugby), Ross Moriarty (Dragons), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby), Josh Turnbull (Cardiff Rugby), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).

Backs: Kieran Hardy (Scarlets), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby), Rhodri Williams (Dragons), Callum Sheedy (Bristol Bears), Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Rugby), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets, capt), Willis Halaholo (Cardiff Rugby), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby), Hallam Amos (Cardiff Rugby), Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets), Jonah Holmes (Dragons), Owen Lane (Cardiff Rugby), Ioan Lloyd (Bristol Bears), Tom Rogers (Scarlets).