Leicester wing included in Gatland's Wales squad
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales have named two uncapped players in their 37-man squad for the forthcoming November international series.
Ospreys wing and Wales Sevens’ all-time leading points and try scorer Luke Morgan and Leicester Tigers’ Jonah Holmes both receive a first call-up to the Wales squad.
Morgan, who has scored four tries in five matches for his region this season, and back-three player Holmes, who scored 10 tries in 11 games for the Tigers last season, will link up with the squad when they meet next Monday.
Wales welcome back eight British & Irish Lions to the squad which recorded three test victories against South Africa and Argentina in June.
Scarlets duo Rob Evans and Wyn Jones feature with Nicky Smith as the loosehead options for Wales with Ken Owens returning to the squad alongside Elliot Dee and Ryan Elias as the hookers.
Leon Brown, who made his international debut last November, returns to the squad and is named along with Tomas Francis, Samson Lee and Dillon Lewis who all toured with Wales in June.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones returns as does Jake Ball who hasn’t featured for Wales since the 2017 November series due to injury. Adam Beard, Bradley Davies and Cory Hill are the other locks named.
In the back row co-captain from the June tour Ellis Jenkins, debutant in Argentina Aaron Wainwright and Dragons No.8 Ross Moriarty are joined by Lions duo Dan Lydiate and Justin Tipuric.
Aled Davies, Gareth Davies and Tomos Williams, who all featured in the USA and Argentina in June are named as the scrumhalves with Dan Biggar returning to the squad alongside Gareth Anscombe and Rhys Patchell as the flyhalf options.
Lion Jonathan Davies returns from injury to feature alongside Tyler Morgan, Hadleigh Parkes and Owen Watkin.
The back-three options see the return of Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams alongside June tourists Josh Adams, Steff Evans and George North as well as the uncapped duo of Morgan and Holmes.
After a successful summer tour for Wales, and with 13 matches to go until @rugbyworldcup, Warren Gatland talks us through his autumn squad. pic.twitter.com/ih5UM6haHu
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) October 16, 2018
“This autumn [November] is the start of a 12-month countdown to the Rugby World Cup and it is a huge opportunity for the players,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.
“The players who performed and represented Wales so well in the summer [June] deserve the opportunity again and we are really pleased with the depth we have built across the squad.
“We have added in a lot of experience with eight British & Irish Lions coming into the squad so there is a lot of competition for places.
“Some experienced players have missed out, the message to them is the door isn’t closed looking long term, it’s just a reflection of where we are depth wise and the opportunity to look at other players.
“A further eight players haven’t been selected due to injury, dependent on their recovery they could be called in at a later date.
“The two uncapped players in Luke and Jonah are both form, back-three players and we are looking forward to seeing them in this environment and seeing what they can do.”
A number of players who are currently recovering from injury have not been included in the squad but will continue to be monitored and could be called into the squad during the series dependant on their recovery, fitness and performances.
Wales squad:
Forwards: Rob Evans, Wyn Jones, Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias, Ken Owens, Leon Brown, Tomas Francis, Samson Lee, Dillon Lewis, Jake Ball, Adam Beard, Bradley Davies, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Ellis Jenkins, Dan Lydiate, Ross Moriarty, Justin Tipuric, Aaron Wainwright.
Backs: Aled Davies, Gareth Davies, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Dan Biggar, Rhys Patchell, Jonathan Davies, Tyler Morgan, Hadleigh Parkes, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams, Steffan Evans, Leigh Halfpenny, Jonah Holmes, Luke Morgan, George North, Liam Williams.
Players not selected due to injury: Seb Davies, Aaron Shingler, James Davies, Josh Navidi, Taulupe Faletau, Scott Williams, Hallam Amos, Owen Lane.
Fixtures:
Wales vs Scotland (November 3)
Wales vs Australia (November 10)
Wales vs Tonga (November 17)
Wales vs South Africa (November 24)
