Wales centre set to play in back row as raft of players released to clubs
Wales centre Nick Tompkins will cover the back-row for Saracens this weekend, just days before their Six Nations opener against France in Paris.
The Gallagher Premiership side have been hit hard with injuries and Six Nations call-ups, with 16 players unavailable for the clash with Exeter at Sandy Park on Saturday. Many of those are back-rowers. Ben Earl and Tom Willis are with England, while
As such, Mark McCall's side have signed Scarlets back-row Carwyn Tuipulotu on a short-term loan. However, the 23-year-old won't feature this weekend and is likelier to be involved during the Premiership Cup fixtures.
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As such, just six days ahead of Wales' tournament opener in Paris, Tompkins will cover the back-row from the bench.
Wearing the 20 jersey this weekend, Tompkins will back-up starters Max Eke, Nathan Michelow and Juan Martin Gonzalez and will be expected to come on in the back row.
The 38-cap centre isn't the only Welsh international released back to his club this weekend. 11 of Gatland's 34-man squad are based outside of Wales, meaning the Wales coach is without a sizable portion of his side at the end of their first week in camp.
Tompkins' Saracens team-mate Liam Williams will start for the English club, while second-row Dafydd Jenkins will captain opponents Exeter ahead of his Test return - having missed the autumn through injury.
There's no place for Christ Tshiunza though, despite the loose forward being short of minutes and yet to taste victory this season.
Elsewhere, tighthead prop WillGriff John starts for just the second time this season, being named in Sale's team to face Bath on Sunday.
Gloucester's Welsh contingent of Tomos Williams, Freddie Thomas and Josh Hathaway all feature in the Cherry and Whites' Premiership clash against Leicester on Saturday. Williams and Thomas start alongside overlooked duo Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn, with Hathaway on the bench.
For Leicester, Nicky Smith and Tommy Reffell both start.
