Wales latest: Steve Tandy suffers fresh injury blow as head coach forced into Nations Championship squad change
Macs Page (right) has been called into the Wales squad in place of the injured Rio Dyer (left)
Wales have been forced into a late change to their squad for the Nations Championship, with Rio Dyer withdrawing through injury.
The Dragons back, who had only just been recalled for the national side, suffered a hamstring injury during his side’s 31-14 URC defeat to Welsh rivals Ospreys, and is now out of the upcoming Test campaign.
In his place, head coach Steve Tandy has drafted in uncapped Scarlets back Macs Page, who returns to the senior squad for the first time since July.
Macs Page called into Wales squad as Rio Dyer withdraws through injury
Page is one of the most exciting prospects in Welsh rugby right now, and his call-up comes after some impressive performances for the Scarlets in the early days of the new season. Across all competitions, he boasts a record of five tries in five games, a haul which includes braces against the Dragons and Newcastle Red Bulls.
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He also got himself on the scoresheet against the Stormers last weekend.
“Uncapped Scarlets back Macs Page has been called up to the Wales squad for the November rounds of the Nations Championship,” a WRU statement read.
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“Rio Dyer has been released following a hamstring injury sustained in Dragons RFC’s match against Ospreys last Saturday.”
Page also becomes the fourth uncapped player in the extended squad, alongside Cardiff prop Rhys Barratt and Dragons duo Che Hope and Aneurin Owen.
Elsewhere, Tandy’s squad is as previously advertised, with Dewi Lake leading a strong unit alongside the likes of Jac Morgan, Aaron Wainwright, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tomos Williams, Dafydd Jenkins and Josh Adams.
Wales kick off their Nations Championship campaign against Japan, before facing the All Blacks and Australia across the rest of the month as well as their finals weekend Test. Their placement for that will be confirmed following the end of the pool stage.
Updated Wales squad in full
Forwards: Rhys Barratt, Taine Basham, Adam Beard, Liam Belcher, James Botham, Rhys Carre, Ben Carter, Ryan Elias, Seb Davies, Tomas Francis, Archie Griffin, Kane James, Dafydd Jenkins, Dewi Lake (c), Dillon Lewis, Alex Mann, Jac Morgan, Taine Plumtree, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Aaron Wainwright, Teddy Williams
Backs: Josh Adams, Sam Costelow, Dan Edwards, Gabe Hamer-Webb, Joe Hawkins, Louie Hennessey, Che Hope, Eddie James, Max Llewellyn, Ellis Mee, Rebuen Morgan-Williams, Blair Murray, Aneurin Owen, Macs Page, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tom Rogers, Tomos Williams