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Cardiff Blues quintet head to Japan for Rugby World Cup

First Team News | 1st September 2019


Five Cardiff Blues players have been chosen in Wales' 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Warren Gatland announced his squad earlier today and Wales will kick off their campaign as when they take on Georgia in Toyota City on Monday, September 23.

Academy product, Dillon Lewis is amongst the five props named in the squad. The prop has racked up 14 caps since his debut against Tonga in 2017, ending up on the winning side on 13 occasions.

Josh Navidi captained Wales for the first time during the warm-up clash against Ireland on Saturday, and his rapid rise in international rugby continues as he books a spot on the plane to Japan. 

Scrum half Tomos Williams made an impression in the defeat to Ireland, and is one of three scrum halves taken to Japan. The 24-year-old recently recovered from a shoulder injury and is rewarded following another impressive campaign for region and country.

Two of Cardiff Blues' summer signings - Hallam Amos and Josh Adams - are also included in the 31-man squad, and are part of a competitive back three division. 

This will be Amos' second Rugby World Cup campaign, having also feature in 2015, playing his part in the famous victory over England, and his versatility might prove essential for Gatland's side.

Adams joins Lewis, Navidi and Williams by heading to his debut Rugby World Cup campaign. The exciting wing has been one of Wales' stand-out stars over the past 12 months, and played a crucial role as Gatland's side sealed a Grand Slam in the Six Nations earlier this year.

Jarrod Evans and Owen Lane can count themselves unlucky not to be included in the final squad having starred in Cardiff Blues colours throughout 2018/19.

A total of seven members of the squad were developed through the Cardiff Blues academy, with Rhys Carré (Saracens), Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) and Cory Hill (Dragons) also on the plane.

FORWARDS
Jake Ball - Camberley | Scarlets (35 Caps) (2015 RWC)
Adam Beard - Birchgrove RFC | Ospreys (15 Caps)
Rhys Carre - St Joseph's | Saracens (1 Cap)
James Davies - Whitland | Scarlets (5 Caps)
Elliot Dee - Newbridge RFC | Dragons (21 Caps)
Ryan Elias - Carmarthen Athletic | Scarlets (8 Caps)
Tomas Francis - Malton & Norton | Exeter Chiefs (42 Caps) (2015 RWC)
Cory Hill - Pontypridd | Dragons (24 Caps)
Alun Wyn Jones - Bonymaen | Ospreys (127 Caps) (2007/11/15 RWC)
Wyn Jones - Llandovery | Scarlets (14 Caps)
Dillon Lewis - Beddau | Cardiff Blues (14 Caps)
Ross Moriarty - Morriston | Dragons (33 Caps) (2015 RWC)
Josh Navidi - Bridgend Athletic | Cardiff Blues (18 Caps)
Ken Owens - Carmarthen Athletic | Scarlets (66 Caps) (2011/15 RWC)
Aaron Shingler - Hendy | Scarlets (20 Caps)
Nicky Smith - Waunarlwydd | Ospreys (30 Caps)
Justin Tipuric - Trebanos | Ospreys (65 Caps) (2015 RWC)
Aaron Wainwright - Whitehead RFC | Dragons (11 Caps)         

BACKS                                     
Josh Adams - Hendy RFC | Cardiff Blues (13 Caps)
Hallam Amos - Monmouth RFC | Cardiff Blues (20 Caps)(2015 RWC)
Dan Biggar - Gorseinon | Northampton Saints (72 Caps) (2015 RWC)
Aled Davies - Whitland | Ospreys (19 Caps)       
Gareth Davies   - Newcastle Emlyn | Scarlets (43 Caps) (2015 RWC)
Jonathan Davies - Whitland | Scarlets (75 Caps) (2011 RWC)
Leigh Halfpenny - Gorseinon | Scarlets (81 Caps) (2011 RWC)
George North - Llangefni RFC | Ospreys (85 Caps) (2011/15 RWC)
Hadleigh Parkes - Hunterville |Scarlets (17 Caps)           
Rhys Patchell - CRICC | Scarlets (12 Caps)         
Owen Watkin - Bryncethin | Ospreys (16 Caps)  
Liam Williams - Waunarlwydd | Saracens (57 Caps) (2015 RWC)
Tomos Williams - Treorchy Zebras | Cardiff Blues (8 Caps)