Gatland reveals 'exciting squad' ahead of Bok clash

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has named a 35-player squad to come into camp on October 28 to begin preparations for the Nations Series.

Wales face Fiji, Australia and South Africa on consecutive weekends this November at the Millennium Stadium.

Dewi Lake will captain the side again this November having done so on the July tour to Australia.

Two uncapped players are selected among the 19 forwards and 16 backs named on Monday: lock Freddie Thomas (Gloucester) and Scarlets’ wing Blair Murray.

Adam Beard, Ryan Elias, Jac Morgan, Will Rowlands, Henry Thomas and Tomos Williams return to the squad having missed the Tests in Australia due to injury or being rested.

There are also recalls for Gareth Anscombe, Max Llewellyn, Tom Rogers, Nicky Smith and Rhodri Williams, in a Wales squad that has an average age of 25.

Gatland said: “The coaches and I can’t wait to get started 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.

Regarding the captaincy, Gatland added: “I thought Dewi did a really good job with the captaincy over the summer, so we’ve decided for him to continue in the role this autumn.”

Wales squad:

Forwards: Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Adam Beard (Ospreys), James Botham (Cardiff), Ben Carter (Dragons), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dewi Lake (Ospreys) captain, Evan Lloyd (Cardiff), Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers), Will Rowlands (Racing 92), Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Freddie Thomas (Gloucester, uncapped), Henry Thomas (Scarlets), Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).

Backs: Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester), Ellis Bevan (Cardiff), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Mason Grady (Cardiff), Josh Hathaway (Gloucester), Eddie James (Scarlets), Max Llewellyn (Gloucester), Blair Murray (Scarlets, uncapped), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Rhodri Williams (Dragons), Tomos Williams (Gloucester), Cameron Winnett (Cardiff).