By Paul Jones
Justin Tipuric has admitted he was surprised to be asked to take over the Wales captaincy for the autumn internationals.
The Ospreys flanker will skipper Wales in the Autumn Nations Series starting against New Zealand next week.
The 33-year-old, who has won 86 caps, takes over from the injured Dan Biggar.
Tipuric missed the whole of last season after suffering a shoulder injury during the British and Irish Lions’ South Africa tour warm-up Test against Japan in June 2021.
Tipuric previously captained Wales against Uruguay during the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
“I am honoured,” he said. “I didn’t quite expect it, to be honest. To have the responsibility of leading the boys on the field is definitely a highlight of my career.
“When you are out of the game for a while, it shows how much you miss it.”
Justin Tipuric has been named captain for the @WelshRugbyUnion Autumn Nations Series👏👏👏
Llongyfarchiadau Tips!🏴 pic.twitter.com/RiWuZuydB8
— Ospreys (@ospreys) October 25, 2022
Tipuric’s Ospreys team-mate Dewi Lake, meanwhile, has been ruled out of the autumn schedule due to a shoulder injury.
The hooker was hurt during his team’s United Rugby Championship defeat against the Dragons on Sunday.
Lake has been replaced in the 35-man squad by Dragons’ former Ulster forward Bradley Roberts.
Wales kick off their autumn schedule against the All Blacks on November 5, with Lake the latest casualty.
Wanted: New Wales Rugby Captain . . . Adam Beard, Ken Owens And Justin Tipuric Brush Up Their Applications https://t.co/vEtDgP4nnw
— Dai Sport (@Dai_Sport_) October 18, 2022
Head coach Wayne Pivac was already without Biggar, Liam Williams, Wyn Jones, Leon Brown, Seb Davies, Johnny Williams, Josh Navidi and Taine Basham because of injuries.
And Pivac has a number of other players who will require monitoring during the build-up to New Zealand’s Cardiff visit.
That list includes George North (knee), Leigh Halfpenny (hamstring strain), Josh Adams (hand), Alex Cuthbert (shoulder) and Gareth Anscombe (ribs).
Wales also face Argentina, Georgia and Australia during their autumn programme.
