Wales coach Warren Gatland calls up Taine Plumtree to World Cup training squad

The backrow is the son of former Ireland coach John Plumtree.

GATTY: Warren Gatland has called uncapped Taine Plumtree into Wales’ World Cup training squad (Joe Giddens/PA)

Warren Gatland has called up uncapped back-row forward Taine Plumtree to Wales’ World Cup training squad for a two-week camp in Switzerland.

Plumtree is part of a group that has travelled to Fiesch in the Swiss Alps, the Welsh Rugby Union said.

The 23-year-old was born in Swansea and is the son of former Ireland, Japan and New Zealand assistant coach John Plumtree.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 𝘿𝙞𝙬𝙚𝙙𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙙 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙛𝙖𝙣

Taine Plumtree joins the squad in Switzerland

🤝 Croeso Taine!#WelshRugby

— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 4, 2023

A New Zealand Under-20 international, he has played Super Rugby for the Auckland-based Blues and will link up with the Scarlets next season.

Wales head coach Gatland has seen his back-row options hit by Justin Tipuric retiring from Test rugby and Josh Macleod suffering a shoulder injury.

And Plumtree now has a golden opportunity to showcase World Cup credentials ahead of Gatland announcing his final 33-strong squad next month.