Warren Gatland Names New Zealand-Born Blair Murray and Former England U20s International Freddie Thomas in Wales Squad.

Warren Gatland has announced his Wales squad for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series, which includes several notable selections.

New Zealand-born Blair Murray and former England U20s international Freddie Thomas have been included in the squad. In-form Nicky Smith, who left Wales for Leicester Tigers last summer, has also been recalled. Additionally, Dragons’ Rhodri Williams returns to the international fold for the first time in 10 years.

Dewi Lake will captain the side, while Gareth Anscombe, Tom Rogers, and Max Llewellyn have also been recalled.

Liam Williams is absent due to injury, and Taulupe Faletau and Josh Adams are not included. Elliot Dee and Dafydd Jenkins are also unavailable for selection.

“The coaches and I can’t wait to get started for this Autumn Nations Series and have the players back in camp next Monday to begin preparations for our first game against Fiji,” said Gatland. 

“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.” 

Wales will face Test matches against Fiji, Australia, and South Africa this autumn.

This will be the second time the Boks are facing Wales this year, having defeated them in June at Twickenham Stadium in the Qatar Airways Cup.

Wales Autumn Squad

Forwards: Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias, Dewi Lake (captain), Evan Lloyd, Keiron Assiratti, Archie Griffin, Henry Thomas, Adam Beard, Ben Carter, Will Rowlands, Freddie Thomas, Christ Tshiunza, James Botham, Jac Morgan, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright

Backs: Ellis Bevan, Tomos Williams, Rhodri Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Sam Costelow, Ben Thomas, Eddie James, Max Llewellyn, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady, Rio Dyer, Josh Hathaway, Blair Murray, Tom Rogers