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<\/p>\nThe Flying Fijians have named a 50-man training squad ahead of this summer’s Nations Championship<\/p>\n
Virimi Vakatawa has been named in Fiji’s extended summer squad(Image: Dan Mullan\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Former England and France internationals Nathan Hughes and Virimi Vakatawa have been named in Fiji’s extended squad ahead of this summer’s Nations Championship.<\/p>\n
The Flying Fijians take on Wales, England and Scotland this summer as part of the first edition of World Rugby’s new competition. The clash with Wales, taking place at Cardiff<\/a> City Stadium despite being a home game for Fiji, will begin both side’s campaign on July 4.<\/p>\n Acting head coach Senirusi Seruvakula, who replaced Mick Byrne earlier this year, has named a 50-man extended squad which will be whittled down to a 32-man travelling squad two weeks before the Wales match.<\/p>\n That squad could include former France wing Vakatawa and ex-England No. 8 Hughes – with both in line to switch allegiances after being included in the squad.<\/p>\n Vakatawa, who recently turned 34, won the last of his 32 caps for France in July 2022.<\/p>\n During his Test career with France, he scored 10 tries.<\/p>\n A return to the Test stage would also mark a remarkable turnaround for Vakatawa, after he was forced to leave French rugby in September 2022 due to a cardiac condition.<\/p>\n Wales VIP hospitality tickets from \u00a3330<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> Prices vary<\/p>\n Seat Unique<\/p>\n Book tickets here<\/a><\/p>\n Seat Unique offers VIP hospitality tickets for Wales’ autumn internationals including New Zealand and Australia<\/p>\n After being cleared by an independent expert panel, he joined Bristol Bears in 2023 and has since played for the Fijian Drua.<\/p>\n Remarkably, he could his former side France on French soil later this year if selected, with Fiji facing them in the first of the November Nations Championship fixtures.<\/p>\n As for Hughes, the Racing 92 No. 8 last played for England in 2019 – playing 22 times.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been having regular meetings, myself and the coaching staff, and also the lead Strength and Conditioning Coach, David Silvester, and my medical team,\u201d Seruvakula said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have meetings looking at all the players, their time in their clubs, how many minutes they\u2019ve been playing, and if there are any injuries that need to be identified. All those areas that we look into before we choose the 50.\u201d<\/p>\n Seruvakula added: \u201cWhile this is an extended squad, all players that confirm their availability for July will be monitored before we announce the final 32-man travel squad for the tournament.”<\/p>\n Flying Fijians extended squad:<\/p>\n Props: Eroni Mawi, Atunaisa Sokobale, Peni Ravai, Livai Natave, Haereiti Hetet, Luke Tagi, Tim Hoyt, Vilikesa Nairau, Mesake Doge<\/p>\n Hookers: Tevita Ikanivere, Kavaia Tagivetaua, Zuriel Togiatama, Sam Matavesi<\/p>\n Locks: Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Albert Tuisue, Temo Mayanavanua, Tevita Ratuva, Joseva Tamani<\/p>\n Flankers: Lekima Tagitagivalu, Etonia Waqa, Isoa Tuwai, Elia Canakaivata, Levani Botia, Kitione Salawa<\/p>\n No.8: Pita-Gus Sowakula, Peceli Yato and Nathan Hughes<\/p>\n Half-back: Frank Lomani, Simione Kuruvoli, Sam Wye, Philip Baselala<\/p>\n Fly-half: Caleb Muntz, Isaia Armstrong-Ravula, Kemu Valetini<\/p>\n Outside Backs: Jiuta Wainiqolo, Selestino Ravutaumada, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Vinaya Habosi<\/p>\n Inside Backs: Josua Tuisova, Filimoni Botitu, Isikeli Rabitu, Virimi Vakatawa, Iosefo Masi, Semi Radradra, Seta Tamanivalu, Sireli Maqala<\/p>\n Fullback: Salesi Rayasi, Vuate Karawalevu<\/p>\n Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here<\/a> and our WhatsApp channel here<\/a> for all the breaking news.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Flying Fijians have named a 50-man training squad ahead of this summer’s Nations Championship Virimi Vakatawa has…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":566362,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[94903,5903,101,56,54,55,9015],"class_list":["post-566361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-rugby","tag-fiji-rugby-team","tag-rugby","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom","tag-wales-rugby-team"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/566361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=566361"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/566361\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/566362"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=566361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=566361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=566361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Wales-Women-v-Women-Barbarians.jpg\"\/)
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