Tomas Francis to miss Wales’ remaining Tests in South Africa due to concussion

Prop Tomas Francis is out of Wales’ remaining Test matches against South Africa after suffering concussion.

Francis was carried off after taking a blow to his head during Saturday’s 32-29 first-Test defeat in Pretoria.

He faced a mandatory stand-down period of 12 days, but the Ospreys forward will now return home on Tuesday.

The Welsh Rugby Union said: “Tomas Francis will play no further part in the Wales tour in South Africa following the concussion he sustained in the first Test match against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld.

“The WRU medical team have withdrawn Francis from the remainder of the series to allow him to optimise his recovery. He will return home to Wales tomorrow.

“Dillon Lewis, Sam Wainwright and Harri O’Connor are the remaining tighthead props in the squad.”

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac names his starting line-up on Thursday for the second Test, with one of uncapped pair Wainwright and O’Connor set for a bench place.

Saracens tighthead Wainwright was called into the tour squad as a replacement for the injured Leon Brown, while Scarlets forward O’Connor was added to the initial 33-player group just before the departure to South Africa.

Dewi Lake, meanwhile, has underlined Wales’ fierce belief that they can overturn a Test series deficit and make history in South Africa.

Wales face the Springboks in Bloemfontein next Saturday after seeing an 18-3 interval lead overhauled at Loftus Versfeld.

Hooker Lake’s late try hauled Wales level as they chased a first victory over the Springboks in South Africa at the 11th attempt.

But skipper Dan Biggar missed the conversion, before Springboks full-back Damian Willemse booted a match-winning penalty with the game’s final kick.

A gripping contest proved far closer