Bateman out of Wales tour
Osaka
June 7, 2001

Allan Bateman refused to call time on his international career despite being ruled out of Wales's tour of Japan with the recurrence of an ankle ligament injury.

Neath's newly signed former Lions centre will fly home with injured wing Craig Morgan today [Thursday] but the Wales management have decided to delay calling up Llanelli centre Leigh Davies until after the first Test against Japan in Osaka on Saturday.

Davies was on put on stand-by after Cardiff's rookie centre Jamie Robinson limped off in the opening tour defeat to Suntory last Sunday.

But Robinson's knee injury has responded to treatment leaving the Cardiff centre the chance of making a Wales debut on Sunday.

Bateman, 36, has vowed to bounce back, saying: "I will still be pushing to play for Wales and will be trying to get back in the squad for the autumn internationals.

"There is no doubt in my mind that I will still be competing for a place next season."

Bateman, who has 31 caps, went down twice in the first 10 minutes after making a tackle in the 33-22 win over a Japan Select XV but carried on until he was replaced at half-time.

Coach Lynn Howells asked Bateman to stay with the squad but the former Maesteg, Richmond, Northampton and rugby league star has chosen to return home and get started on his recovery.

Pontypridd's Lee Jarvis, who scored 18 points in the midweek win, is staking a claim for his first Test start in the Wales No 10 jersey.

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