Harris And Delve Out Of Tour

Wales coach Steve Hansen has confirmed Iestyn Harris and Gareth Delve are both out of Wales’ two-match tour of Australia and New Zealand due to shoulder injuries.
Cardiff’s Harris will have a minor operation this afternoon (Mon) on the injury which saw him leave the pitch early against the Barbarians at the weekend and he has been replaced by Swansea and Wales U21 fly-half Gavin Henson.
Bath No.8 Delve, who also impressed against an exciting BaaBaas team at the Millennium Stadium, has been replaced by another Swansea youngster, Jonathan Thomas.
In addition, wing and senior player Gareth Thomas is not travelling with the squad for personal reasons.
‘It’s always a shame to lose players through injury and both Iestyn and Gareth have been hitting some form so it’s even harder on them,’ said Hansen.
‘We picked up a couple of unwanted injuries against the BaaBaas, but it’s a catch 22 because it was a game we needed in preparation for this tour.
‘Gavin has been making progress this season for his club and had a particularly good Six Nations with the U21’s and Jonathan too has good potential and will become a very good player.
‘We have a couple of new faces who will get the opportunity to develop their game against two of the best sides in the world at the moment.
‘And this tour will be all about performance, the reality is that these teams don’t lose very often, but the key will be to get our performances right, learn from the experience and come back a better side.’