Uncapped players Freddie Thomas and Blair Murray have been named in Wales’ 35-man squad for the upcoming autumn series in November.
Murray, a Scarlets wing born in New Zealand, qualifies for Wales through his mother. Gloucester lock Thomas, previously capped by England at under-18 and under-20 levels, has switched allegiance, qualifying for Wales through his Welsh grandparents.
Head coach Warren Gatland has also made a surprise recall, bringing back 31-year-old Dragons scrum-half Rhodri Williams, more than a decade after his last appearance for Wales.
Returning to the squad are Gareth Anscombe and Nicky Smith, both back after absences from international duty. Gatland has also included young wings Max Llewellyn and Tom Rogers, balancing experience with emerging talent.
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Wales will kick off their three-Test campaign against Fiji in Cardiff on Sunday, 10 November, before hosting Australia and reigning world champions South Africa. Aaron Wainwright has been included despite being sidelined this season due to injury.
Dewi Lake retains the captaincy, even with Jac Morgan returning to the squad after missing the summer tour to Australia due to injury.
Gatland has been keeping an eye on Thomas, who qualifies through his Swansea-born grandparents. He is one of five Gloucester players in the squad, alongside Anscombe, Tomos Williams, Josh Hathaway, and Llewellyn, who recently scored a hat-trick. This makes Gloucester the best-represented club in the squad, outnumbering players from the Dragons.
Wales vs Australia in past action
Rhodri Williams seems to have quickly benefited from Gareth Davies’ recent retirement from international rugby.
Key players Adam Beard, Ryan Elias, Will Rowlands, and Henry Thomas also return, having missed the summer tour.
However, Wales will be without Taulupe Faletau, Josh Adams, Dafydd Jenkins, Liam Williams, and Elliott Dee, all out due to injury. Cardiff forwards Corey Domachowski and Mackenzie Martin, Dragons back-row Taine Basham, and Scarlets center Johnny Williams were also omitted from the squad.
Wales squad
Forwards: Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias, Dewi Lake, Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas, Keiron Assiratti, Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Christ Tshiunza, Ben Carter, Will Rowlands, Adam Beard, Taine Plumtree, James Botham, Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright.
Backs: Tomos Williams, Rhodri Williams, Ellis Bevan, Sam Costelow, Gareth Anscombe, Ben Thomas, Nick Tompkins, Max Llewellyn, Eddie James, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady, Blair Murray, Rio Dyer, Josh Hathaway, Tom Rogers, Cameron Winnett.
