Eight Scarlets have been named in Warren Gatland’s 35-man squad for the Autumn Nations, including new signing Blair Murray.
Murray, whose mother is from Tonyrefail, joined the Scarlets from Canterbury in the summer and has been in outstanding form in the early weeks of the season, scoring a superb solo try in the win over Vodacom Bulls on Friday night.
Blair is joined in the squad by fellow Scarlets Ryan Elias, Kemsley Mathias, Henry Thomas, Taine Plumtree, Sam Costelow, Eddie James and Tom Rogers – another who was on the scoresheet against the Bulls.
Wales face Fiji, Australia and South Africa on consecutive weekends this November at Principality Stadium. Some tickets are still available to purchase here.
Dewi Lake will captain the side again this November having done so on the Summer Tour to Australia.
Murray and Gloucester second row Freddie Thomas are the only uncapped players.
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.
“The autumn campaign is always special because we have back-to-back matches at home each weekend and there is no better place to go and play than Principality Stadium with all the passion and energy of our incredible fans.”
WALES SQUAD FOR 2024 AUTUMN NATIONS SERIES
Forwards (19)
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 7 caps)
Adam Beard (Ospreys / Gweilch – 56 caps)
James Botham (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 13 caps)
Ben Carter (Dragons / Dreigiau – 12 caps)
Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 41 caps)
Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby – 3 caps)
Dewi Lake (Ospreys / Gweilch – 15 caps) Captain / Capten
Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets – 4 caps)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys / Gweilch – 15 caps)
Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 5 caps)
Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 20 caps)
Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 33 caps)
Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 46 caps)
Gareth Thomas (Ospreys / Gweilch – 33 caps)
Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – uncapped / heb gap)
Henry Thomas (Scarlets – 4 caps)
Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 12 caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons / Dreigiau – 50 caps)
Backs (16)
Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 37 caps)
Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 3 caps)
Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 15 caps)
Rio Dyer (Dragons / Dreigiau – 22 caps)
Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 14 caps)
Josh Hathaway (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 1 cap)
Eddie James (Scarlets – 1 cap)
Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 1 cap)
Blair Murray (Scarlets – uncapped / heb gap)
Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 4 caps)
Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 4 caps)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens / Saraseniaid – 38 caps)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys / Gweilch – 41 caps)
Rhodri Williams (Dragons / Dreigiau – 3 caps)
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 58 caps)
Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 7 caps)