WALES COACH WARREN Gatland has called 18-year-old wing Keelan Giles into his senior squad in New Zealand following today’s 39-21 defeat to the Kiwis.
George North is among those to have emerged from the first Test with injury concerns, having sustained damage to his hamstring.
While Wales have not confirmed that any players are dropping out of the tour, Gatland has called Giles and twice-capped Rhys Patchell into his squad ahead of the final two Tests.
Giles has been part of the Wales squad at the World Rugby U20 Championship and impressed in Tuesday’s defeat to Ireland, but will now immediately head to New Zealand to link up with Gatland’s group.
The left wing scored two tries against Nigel Carolan’s Ireland U20s side and impressed with his pace, decision-making, work rate and power in contact. The Ospreys flyer also scored three tries during this year’s U20 Six Nations.
Giles has featured for the Ospreys in the B&I Cup, scoring one try in five starts, but has not played senior rugby yet.
His first Wales cap seems unlikely to come against the All Blacks this month, but Gatland clearly believes the experience of being on a senior tour will stand to a player who has rich potential.
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