Wales call up uncapped Deaves after Morgan injury

Autumn Nations Series: Wales v Japan

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday 15 November Kick-off: 17:40 GMT

Coverage: Commentary on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and live text on BBC Sport online.

Uncapped Ospreys flanker Harri Deaves has been called up by Wales after the loss of captain Jac Morgan to injury.

Morgan suffered a dislocated left shoulder in the act of scoring his side’s third try in Sunday’s 52-28 defeat to Argentina in Cardiff.

The British and Irish Lions forward is set for a lengthy lay-off – a blow to his club’s United Rugby Championship and Challenge Cup campaigns – and will miss the autumn Tests against Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.

That has led to new head coach Steve Tandy calling up Deaves, who was unlucky to miss out on the initial squad after a strong start to the season.

«We’re all gutted to lose Jac – he’s a world-class player, as well as a great man off the pitch,» said Tandy.

«This gives an opportunity now for someone else and Harri has been performing strongly for the Ospreys for a consistent period.»

Tandy will be forced into at least one back-row change when he names his squad for Saturday’s Test against Japan.

Alex Mann and Aaron Wainwright started in the back row alongside Morgan against the Pumas with debutant Olly Cracknell coming on along with lock or flanker Freddie Thomas.

Uncapped Ospreys number eight Morgan Morse and Scarlets’ Taine Plumtree are also in the squad.

Deaves, 24, is the only specialist open-side after Tandy opted to overlook Leicester flanker Tommy Reffell, who would not have been available for the Springboks finale that is outside World Rugby’s official Test window.

Mann, a mobile blind-side by trade, had been mooted as the cover for the seven jersey before Morgan’s injury blow.