Wales recall host of senior figures to squad for Autumn Nations Series
Warren Gatland has included two uncapped players in a 35-man squad captained by hooker Dewi Lake
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Wales boss Warren Gatland has named two uncapped players in a 35-strong squad for the Autumn Nations Series.
New Zealand-born Scarlets wing Blair Murray – who qualifies for Wales via his mother – and Gloucester’s former England Under-20 lock Freddie Thomas have both made the squad ahead of games against Fiji, Australia and South Africa in November.
Dragons scrum-half Rhodri Williams, who has not played for Wales since 2014, is recalled along with the likes of Leicester prop Nicky Smith, Gloucester backs Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn, plus Scarlets back Tom Rogers.
Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake, meanwhile, retains the captaincy after leading Wales on tour to Australia this summer.
Adam Beard, Ryan Elias, Jac Morgan, Will Rowlands, Henry Thomas and Tomos Williams return to the squad having missed the Tests in Australia due to injury or being rested.
Injury absentees, meanwhile, include wing Josh Adams, lock Dafydd Jenkins, hooker Elliot Dee and No 8 Taulupe Faletau.
Wales kick off their autumn campaign against Fiji on 10 November, followed by an appointment with the Wallabies seven days later and then world champions South Africa on 23 November.
Gatland said: “The coaches and I can’t wait to get started for this Autumn Nations Series and having the players back in camp next Monday to begin preparations for our first game against Fiji.
“We feel this is an exciting squad with some experience coming back to join the younger players. We know they are going to work incredibly hard as a group this November.
“We have three very different opposition in Fiji, Australia and South Africa, but are looking forward to the challenges that each will pose.”
WALES SQUAD FOR 2024 AUTUMN NATIONS SERIES
Forwards (19)
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 7 caps)
Adam Beard (Ospreys – 56 caps)
James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 13 caps)
Ben Carter (Dragons – 12 caps)
Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 41 caps)
Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby – 3 caps)
Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 15 caps) Captain
Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets – 4 caps)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 15 caps)
Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 5 caps)
Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 20 caps)
Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 33 caps)
Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 46 caps)
Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 33 caps)
Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby – uncapped)
Henry Thomas (Scarlets – 4 caps)
Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 12 caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 50 caps)
Backs (16)
Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester Rugby – 37 caps)
Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby – 3 caps)
Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 15 caps)
Rio Dyer (Dragons – 22 caps)
Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby – 14 caps)
Josh Hathaway (Gloucester Rugby – 1 cap)
Eddie James (Scarlets – 1 cap)
Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby – 1 cap)
Blair Murray (Scarlets – uncapped)
Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 4 caps)
Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 4 caps)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens– 38 caps)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 41 caps)
Rhodri Williams (Dragons – 3 caps)
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 58 caps)
Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby – 7 caps)
PA
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