Wales Announce Squad Ahead Of Autumn Internationals

Warren Gatland has announced his 36 man squad for the Autumn Internationals. These players will feature throughout the four Test series in Cardiff starting 11th November. There are five new faces, with a few huge omissions.

Wales Autumn Squad

Forwards

There are three new caps amongst the forwards. Prop Leon Brown and hooker Elliot Dee from the The Dragons are called up, with Olympic Rugby 7s silver medallist Sam Cross being a surprise inclusion.

The Scarlets could well see an all ”West is Best” front row with Rob Evans, Wyn Jones, Samson Lee and Ken Owens included in the squad.

As for the rest of the pack, Nicky Smith, Tomas Francis, Kristian Dacey, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones, Seb Davies, Adam Beard and Cory Hill make up the tight five slots.

The back row has seen the hugely surprising omission of Wasps flanker Thomas Young. Justin Tipuric, Sam Cross, Dan Lydiate, Talaupe Faletau, Aaron Shingler and Josh Navidi are the other players contending for the back row jerseys.

Backs

Rhys Webb is included in the squad, despite being at risk of losing his international status upon his move to France. He is partnered by the Scarlets pairing of Gareth and Aled Davies.

The big news at fly half is that Rhys Priestland returns to the squad under the new international selection policy.

Fellow fly-halves Dan Biggar, Rhys Patchell and Owen Williams also make it into the Wales autumn squad.

There is fresh blood in the centre with Owen Watkin being called up for the first time in his career. He’ll be hoping to follow up his form which he showed in the Champions Cup against Saracens. Hadleigh Parkes also make the squad, and he’ll be eligible for selection from the South Africa test.

Big Names Missing

Scott Williams is perhaps the biggest name in the backs to be excluded. Fortunately Wales have equally strong depth through Lions star Jon Davies, and Owen Williams who will cover the 10 and 12 jerseys. In addition the squad also features Tyler Morgan who has been in magnificent form for the Dragons.

Also amongst the squad omissions are Luke Charteris and Jamie Roberts. These are both big surprises given Gatland’s recent record of choosing the squad. As a result, the Head Coach will hope these are gambles worth taking.

Due to the late injury to George North there will be a competitive battle for the back three jerseys.  Steff Evans, Alex Cuthbert, Hallum Amos, Liam Williams and Leigh Halfpenny will all hope to feature.

Wales’ autumn squad will undoubtedly put to the test by facing the world’s number one team New Zealand along with South Africa and Australia. They will be expected to beat Georgia whom they play for the first time in history. However this will be far from a walk in the park.

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