ANDREW Coombs’ dream season nearly ended with the Newport Gwent Dragons lock leading Wales on their tour to Japan – but now he will be scrapping to add to his tally of caps.

The Newport Gwent Dragons forward was in the running for the captaincy for June’s two-Test trip to the Far East but was pipped for the honour by fellow lock Bradley Davies.

But acting head coach Robin McBryde paid tribute to Coombs and said the 28-year-old, who rose to prominence with a terrific Six Nations campaign, has quickly become a key figure in the Wales squad.

“Bradley has shown a lot of leadership qualities in the past, as has Andrew, so it was a close call,” said McBryde.

“We just feel at the moment Bradley has a bit more (international) experience and we hope to benefit from that but Andrew was certainly a strong contender.”

Coombs won four caps in the Six Nations after making his Test debut against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.

He featured as a lock but could well be used as a back row forward against Japan with fellow front jumper Davies and uncapped Osprey James King paired together in the second row.

The Dragons forward has been held up by the coaching staff as an example to the young members of the Wales squad of how to grasp their opportunity when it comes on the Test scene.

Meanwhile, McBryde admitted he has taken a risk by not selecting a specialist openside flanker among the 27 heading for the Fast East.

In the absence of Lions tourists Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric, Cardiff Blues seven Josh Navidi, who was a member of the Six Nations squad, was a surprise omission.

“Yes, it’s a gamble but I feel we have enough to be more than combatative in that position and (blindside/lock) Aaron Shingler has played well for us at seven before,” said McBryde.

Dragons wing/full-back Tom Prydie looks set to win his first cap since 2010 after making the cut while nine uncapped players go, including Ospreys winger Dafydd Howells, 18, and Cardiff Blues fly-half Rhys Patchell, 20.

It is clear that Wales expect to take it to Eddie Jones’ Cherry Blossoms up front, where they are able to call on the more experienced Davies, Coombs, Lou Reed, Rhys Gill, Scott Mitchell, Aaron Shingler and Rob McCusker.

“We want to play smart, winning rugby,” said McBryde. “We have got to be clinical and accurate in what we do.

“This squad has an average age of 23 and they are full of get up and go, enterprise and ideas.

“What we have to do as coaches is curb that enthusiasm a little bit and make sure we don’t run out of steam.

“Our game management will be key and we have to look after the forwards and expose Japan to an intensity they haven’t experienced before.”

Wales trained with the British and Irish Lions at the Vale of Glamorgan last week and have been preparing for the heat and humidity of Japan by turning up the temperature in their gym and rubbing sand on the ball to mirror slippery conditions.

Wales squad: Forwards: R Bevington (Ospreys), R Gill (Saracens), E Phillips (Scarlets), S Baldwin (Ospreys), S Andrews (Blues), C Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), R Jones (Scarlets), B Davies (Blues, captain), L Reed (Blues), A Coombs (Dragons), J King (Ospreys), A Shingler (Scarlets), D Baker (Ospreys), R McCusker (Scarlets), A Pretorius (Blues).

Backs: L Williams (Blues), T Knoyle (Scarlets), D Biggar (Ospreys), R Patchell (Blues), A Beck (Ospreys), O Williams (Blues), J Spratt (Ospreys), D Howells (Ospreys), L Williams (Scarlets), H Robinson (Blues), T Prydie (Dragons), S Shingler (London Irish.