Rayer tops list of omissions

The Cardiff full-back Mike Rayer and the Pontypridd scrum-half, Paul John, are the surprise omissions from a 30-strong Wales squad who leave on 23 May for an eight-match tour of Australia.

Rayer, capped 21 times by Wales, was tipped to be included in the party following a series of good performances for his club in recent weeks, after recovering from breaking a leg in two places in October 1994.

The coach Kevin Bowring and the director of rugby, Terry Cobner, have named a squad containing only one specialist full-back: Justin Thomas, of Llanelli. John, the half-back partner to Neil Jenkins at Sardis Road, also misses out on the trip. Cardiff's Andrew Moore is preferred as the deputy to Robert Howley, of Bridgend, while Bristol's Arwel Thomas is the other outside-half.

WALES TOUR PARTY: Backs: J Thomas, I Evans (both Llanelli), L Davies (Neath), N Davies (Llanelli), G Thomas (Bridgend), N Jenkins (Pontypridd), R Howley (Bridgend), W Proctor (Llanelli), S Hill (Cardiff), J Funnell (Neath), A Thomas (Bristol), A Moore (Cardiff), D James (Bridgend). Forwards: C Loader (Swansea), J Humphreys (Cardiff, capt), J Davies, G Llewellyn (both Neath), D Jones, E Lewis (both Cardiff), G Jones (Llanelli), H Taylor, A Lewis (both Cardiff), G Jenkins (Swansea), L Mustoe (Cardiff), M Voyle (Newport), P Arnold (Swansea), A Gibbs (Newbridge), S Williams (Neath), K Jones (Ebbw Vale), S Ford (Bridgend).