Ken Owens and Scott Baldwin get the nod with Cardiff Blues’ Kristian Dacey not making the squad.
Having missed out on All Blacks selection himself in the past, Wales head coach Warren Gatland was speaking from personal experience when he said: “Some of the decisions were the toss of a coin. Those players that have missed out, you feel for them massively,” he said.
“It is incredibly disappointing for those players that miss out. It’s hard, but you have got to accept that is the nature of professional sport and we are entrusted to make what we believe are the right calls.”
The seven players cut from Gatland’s existing 38-man training group are Dacey and his fellow Blues front rower, Scott Andrews along with Gloucester’s Ross Moriarty, Ospreys wing Eli Walker, Newport Gwent Dragons centre Tyler Morgan, Cardiff Blues fly-half Gareth Anscombe and Scarlets prop Rob Evans.
Exciting Bristol utility back Matthew Morgan is selected due to his creativity.
“Matthew Morgan is someone we think has got a bit of x-factor,” said Gatland. “He’s not 6ft 4in and 115 kg, he’s quick and has got some skill, and that x-factor is important. He can cover a few positions as well,” added Gatland.
“I think there is a nice balance in the squad between the physicality that we can bring, which we saw on the weekend, and hopefully with some skill as well. Even though Saturday was a pretty tight game (against Ireland), we off-loaded pretty well.”
Scarlets prop Samson Lee has won his race for selection after suffering an Achilles tendon injury in March, while full back Liam Williams who has been troubled by a foot injury, has also been selected in the squad.
Wales squad for the Rugby World Cup:
Forwards: Tomas Francis, Paul James, Aaron Jarvis, Gethin Jenkins, Samson Lee, Scott Baldwin, Ken Owens, Jake Ball, Luke Charteris, Dominic Day, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Toby Faletau, James King, Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton (captain).
Backs: Gareth Davies, Rhys Webb, Lloyd Williams, Dan Biggar, Matthew Morgan, Rhys Priestland, Cory Allen, Jamie Roberts, Scott Williams, Hallam Amos, Alex Cuthbert, George North, Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams
