June 30 (Reuters) - Wales ⁠have cut 12 players from their squad for ⁠the first three fixtures of the Nations ‌Championship, with lock Dafydd Jenkins forced to withdraw after a shoulder injury and Dewi Lake confirmed as captain.

• Four uncapped players ​have been axed: prop Rhys Barratt, ⁠centre Bryn Bradley, lock ⁠Ryan Woodman and loose forward Harrison Keddie.

• Olly Cracknell, ⁠Freddie ‌Thomas, Ellis Bevan, Jarrod Evans, Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Joe Roberts and Tom Rogers also miss ⁠out.

• “We have selected a squad of 33 players ​for the ‌Nations Championship to mirror what will be required ⁠for the ​World Cup in 2027," coach Steve Tandy said on Tuesday.

• Wales face Fiji in their opening Nations Championship ⁠encounter in Cardiff on Saturday, before ​trips to Argentina and South Africa on consecutive weekends.

• Forwards: Adam Beard, James Botham, Rhys Carre, Ben Carter, ⁠Ryan Elias, Kane James, Dewi Lake, Dillon Lewis, Evan Lloyd, Alex Mann, Jac Morgan, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Aaron Wainwright, Sam Wainwright, ​Ben Warren, Teddy Williams.

• Backs: Josh ⁠Adams, Sam Costelow, Dan Edwards, Mason Grady, Kieran Hardy, ​Joe Hawkins, Eddie James, Max ‌Llewellyn, Ellis Mee, Reuben Morgan-Williams, ​Blair Murray, Louis Rees-Zammit, Ben Thomas, Tomos Williams.

(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Kevin Liffey)