Wales have been forced into a late change ahead of their round three Nations Championship clash with South Africa in Durban after Josh Adams was withdrawn from the squad because of a tight calf.
Adams, the 31-year-old wing, had been in line to feature again for Wales, but the setback means he will not be available for the Springboks meeting. Ellis Mee has been added to the squad in his place, giving Wales a direct replacement on the edge as they prepare for another difficult test.
What the change means for Wales
The timing matters because Wales are facing South Africa again not long after their 73-0 loss to the Springboks in Cardiff in November. That result is still the clearest reference point between the two sides, and it underlines how challenging this fixture can be for Wales even before a squad change is added into the mix.
The updated Wales XV also included Dewi Lake as captain, leaving Steve Tandy to manage an altered group as selection was confirmed shortly before kickoff. Losing Adams removes one of Wales's more established attacking options, while Mee now gets a late opportunity to step into the squad and push for involvement.
For Wales, the immediate task is simple: absorb the loss of Adams, settle the replacement quickly and try to produce a far better response than they managed in Cardiff. Against South Africa, small changes can matter, especially when the opposition is the Springboks and the margin for error is already slim.
