Wales head coach Steve Tandy has named three uncapped players in his extended 39-player squad for November’s Nations Championship campaign.
Dewi Lake will once again captain the side across the November Tests, with Wales facing Japan, New Zealand and Australia across the month before the finals weekend.
Tandy’s side also come into the campaign looking to build on their record of one win from three in July.
Steve Tandy names three uncapped players for November’s Nations Championship Tests
The Wales boss has named a strong 39-man squad boasting a total of 1,042 Test caps, but he has added some fresh faces to the group as well.
Cardiff’s Rhys Barratt is the sole uncapped player included among the 22 forwards in the extended squad, while Dragons back duo Che Hope and Aneurin Owen are included alongside the 17 backs in the group.
Tandy also has a number of key generals at his disposal once more, with the likes of Jac Morgan, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tomos Williams, Nicky Smith and Rhys Carre all named in the group.
Elsewhere, Liam Belcher, Tomas Francis, Archie Griffin, Louie Hennessey and Dafydd Jenkins also come back into the squad after missing July’s Tests through injury, while Taine Basham, Seb Davies and Rio Dyer are also drafted in.
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
However, there is no room for Taulupe Faletau, Tommy Reffell or Olly Cracknell.
Commenting on his squad, the head coach said: “It’s great to welcome back the players who were unavailable for the first three rounds of the Nations Championship.
“Added to that, there are a number of players who’ve been in great form for their clubs and so we wanted to give them an opportunity in the squad this autumn.
Springboks star’s contract ‘terminated’ at Japanese club amid reports of South African return
“We’re excited to head into our three home rounds of the competition. Principality Stadium is a special place to play and means an awful lot to the players. When we assemble as a group next week all eyes will be on that first home fixture against Japan and preparing well to put in a good performance for the fans.”
Wales squad in full
Forwards: Rhys Barratt, Taine Basham, Adam Beard, Liam Belcher, James Botham, Rhys Carre, Ben Carter, Ryan Elias, Seb Davies, Tomas Francis, Archie Griffin, Kane James, Dafydd Jenkins, Dewi Lake (c), Dillon Lewis, Alex Mann, Jac Morgan, Taine Plumtree, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Aaron Wainwright, Teddy Williams
Backs: Josh Adams, Sam Costelow, Rio Dyer, Dan Edwards, Gabe Hamer-Webb, Joe Hawkins, Louie Hennessey, Che Hope, Eddie James, Max Llewellyn, Ellis Mee, Rebuen Morgan-Williams, Blair Murray, Aneurin Owen, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tom Rogers, Tomos Williams
