Wales call up South African Pretorius

South Africa-born forward Andries Pretorius has been named in the Wales squad for the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

The 27-year-old Cardiff Blues back-row forward is among five uncapped players in a 35-man group by Wales interim head coach Rob Howley. Pretorius, born in Nelspruit, qualifies on residency for Wales and became available for selection last month. He is joined in the squad by his Blues back-row colleague Josh Navidi, Ospreys wing Eli Walker and lock James King, plus Newport Gwent Dragons second-row forward Andrew Coombs.

Wales have been badly hit in the second-row department, with Alun-Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris and Bradley Davies currently unavailable and not named in his initial Six Nations squad. Fly-half Rhys Priestland and prop Aaron Jarvis, meanwhile, are also injury absentees as Wales build towards the opening game of their title defence against Ireland on February 2.

There are recalls for Clermont Auvergne full-back Lee Byrne, who has not featured in a Wales matchday 23 since the 2011 World Cup, and Exeter prop Craig Mitchell. Star prop Adam Jones also returns after missing the entire autumn Test series this season because of injury and Howley will hope that some of his other injured contingent, including Dragons flanker Dan Lydiate, can play some part in the tournament.

Former Wales captain Ryan Jones is also named in the squad, although his participation against Ireland and then France seven days later is currently doubtful due to a dislocated thumb injury.