Wales today announced a 27-man squad for next month's two-Test tour to South Africa. It includes three uncapped players - the Ospreys' centre Andrew Bishop, the London Irish scrum-half Warren Fury and the Cardiff Blues' back rower Bradley Davies.

The Wales head coach Warren Gatland did not recall the 35-year-old flanker Colin Charvis, even though it means the grand slam winners will take on the World Cup holders without a specialist open-side flanker. "We can cover the number seven jersey by switching guys like Jonathan Thomas and Dafydd Jones," said Gatland. "We thought about recalling Colin, but it would have been a short-term fill and this tour is about the future so it was not a close decision."

Nigel Davies, Wales's caretaker coach against South Africa in Cardiff last November, was today appointed the Llanelli Scarlets' head coach, replacing Phil Davies, who was sacked at the end of last month.