Prop Keiron Assiratti will miss Wales' summer programme after a calf strain forced him out following the URC quarter‑final loss to the Stormers. The 28‑year‑old Cardiff tight‑head picked up the injury in late May, becoming the second player to withdraw after Bath back Louie Hennessey’s shoulder problem. His absence joins a growing casualty list that already includes rested Tomas Francis and surgery‑bound Archie Griffin.

Coach Steve Tandy trimmed his 48‑man roster to 46 after the Barbarians game, leaving the front row thin. Uncapped Ospreys prop Ben Warren sits on the bench alongside seasoned tight‑heads Dillon Lewis and Sam Wainwright, while the wider forward pool features Rhys Barratt, Nicky Smith and Ryan Elias among others. No official replacement for Assiratti has been announced, leaving selection headaches for the summer tests.

Wales open the summer calendar with a double‑header against the Barbarians on 27 June at Twickenham, then head to the inaugural Nations Championship to meet Fiji, Argentina and South Africa in July. The depleted pack will be forced to rely on less‑tested props, testing depth ahead of a competition that could shape the squad’s World Cup preparations. Tandy’s choices this week will directly impact Wales’ chances in the new tournament.