NEWPORT lock Ian Gough is out of Wales' tour of Japan after dislocating his shoulder playing for Newport against Neath in the Principality Cup final on Sunday.

The Welsh Rugby Union were told late yesterday of his withdrawal (predicted in the Argus) and will call up a replacement.

With Wales taking four other locks to Japan, it is expected an additional back row forward will be named.

Gough's injury (he also missed the tour to Argentina two years ago with a broken arm suffered playing for Pontypridd against Neath) obviously also rules him out of Sunday's Wales clash with the Barbarians.

Wales are likely to make four or five changes, with Neil Jenkins, Rob Howley and Scott Quinnell possibly joining Gough on the sidelines while Stephen Jones could play at inside centre instead of Scott Gibbs.

Jenkins and Howley are recovering from minor knee operations ahead of the British Lions tour, Howley also has a back problem, while Quinnell has had an Achilles' tendon injury.

Swansea's talented 19-year-old Gavin Henson seems set to take the outside half role, which would complete a remarkable rise to the top. It means he will have played for Wales Under-19s, Wales Under-21, Wales A and the senior Welsh side all in the same season.

Bath's Gareth Cooper, a try scorer on his debut against Italy and recently included in the English Zurich Premiership team of the season, would replace Howley and Swansea's Geraint Lewis is favourite to replace Quinnell.

One other change could be at full back where Swansea's Kevin Morgan is challenging Rhys Williams of Cardiff.

Wales coach Graham Henry commented: "We will be fielding our strongest available team and I hope the Welsh people will come out and make it a special day for our Lions."

But so far only just over 20,000 tickets have been sold for the match.

Wales possible: R Williams (Cardiff) or K Morgan (Swansea), G Thomas (Cardiff), M Taylor (Swansea), S Jones (Llanelli), D James (Llanelli), G Henson (Swansea), R Howley (Cardiff) or G Cooper (Bath), D Morris (Swansea), R McBryde (Llanelli), D Young (Cardiff), C Quinnell (Cardiff), A Moore (Swansea), C Charvis (Swansea), S Quinnell (Llanelli) or G Lewis (Swansea), M Williams (Cardiff). Kick off 3pm.