Fiji’s acting head coach Senirusi Seruvakula has trimmed his training squad for next month’s Nations Championship to 32 players and excluded former French international Virimi Vakatawa and ex-England No 8 Nathan Hughes.
The Flying Fijians are playing their three ‘home’ games in the inaugural tournament in the northern hemisphere and will kick-off with a clash with Wales at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday 4 July.
Seruvakula has picked 14 backs and 18 forwards for the month-long competition that will also see his side face England at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool on 11 July and Scotland at Murrayfield Stadium on 18 July.
“I’ve chosen a team of players that have experience and are playing some of the best rugby in their current clubs,” said Seruvakula. “This is a tough campaign, but I am confident this group has the talent, the heart, and the discipline to represent Fiji with pride.”
The squad contains 11 of the starting XV that beat Wales 24-19 last time out at Principality Stadium on 10 November 2024. Included among them is outside half Caleb Muntz, who scored 19 points in the victory two years ago.
He has been playing with George North and Tomas Francis at Provence in PRO D 2 in France. Hooker Sam Matavesi, who was on the bench in 2024, is currently playing for Camborne and Cornwall.
The Fijian Drua, who play in Super Rugby, provide 10 of the players, while 14 of the squad are from clubs playing in the Top 14 in France.
FIJI Water Flying Fijians Nations Championship Squad
Props: Eroni Mawi (Saracens), Atunaisa Sokobale (Castres Olympique), Peni Ravai (Drua), Luke Tagi (Bayonne), Tim Hoyt (Worcester Warriors)
Hookers: Tevita Ikanivere (Honda Heat), Zuriel Togiatama (Drua), Sam Matavesi (Camborne)
Locks: Isoa Nasilasila (Drua), Mesake Vocevoce (Drua), Temo Mayanavanua (Drua), Tevita Ratuva (Clermont Auvergne)
Back Row: Lekima Tagitagivalu (Racing 92), Elia Canakaivata (Drua), Levani Botia (La Rochelle), Kitione Salawa (Drua), Pita-Gus Sowakula (Clermont Auvergne), Peceli Yato (Perpignan)
Scrum Halves: Frank Lomani (Drua), Simione Kuruvoli (Drua), Sam Wye (Counties Manukau)
Outside Halves: Caleb Muntz (Provence), Isaia Armstrong-Ravula (Drua / Manawatu)
Midfielders: Josua Tuisova (Racing 92), Filimoni Botitu (Castres Olympique), Semi Radradra (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Selestino Ravutaumada (Racing 92)
Outsides: Jiuta Wainiqolo (Lyon), Kalaveti Ravouvou (Bristol Bears), Vinaya Habosi (Racing 92) Salesi Rayasi (Bordeaux-Begles), Vuate Karawalevu (Castres Olympique)