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Wales boss forced to turn to youth for Springboks showdown

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales have confirmed a 30-player training squad ahead of their final Nations Series clash against world champions South Africa on November 29 in Cardiff.

The fixture falls outside the international Test window, meaning both teams are restricted in their selection options. But while the Springboks possess the depth to absorb their absentees, Wales head coach Steve Tandy faces a far greater challenge.

Tandy will be without 13 first-choice players, leaving him with one of the most inexperienced squads Wales have fielded in recent years. Of the 30 names selected, 20 players have single-digit caps, including four uncapped forwards and several others who have only had brief exposure to international rugby.

The forward pack has been hit particularly hard.

Only Aaron Wainwright, Gareth Thomas, and Dewi Lake bring substantial Test experience, with the rest of the pack featuring young talent. The second row and back row are especially thin, with three uncapped players and two others holding just four caps combined.

The backline offers a similar picture.

Kieran Hardy and Rio Dyer are the only backs with meaningful Test minutes behind them, while the remaining players represent a mix of rising prospects and fringe internationals still finding their feet at this level.

Wales:

Forwards:
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff – 18 caps), Ben Carter (Dragons – 13 caps), Brodie Coghlan (Dragons – 1 cap), Christian Coleman (Dragons – 1 cap), Rhys Davies (Ospreys – 3 caps), Harri Deaves (Ospreys – 1 cap), James Fender (Ospreys – uncapped), Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 25 caps), Evan Lloyd (Cardiff – 8 caps), Alex Mann (Cardiff – 10 caps), Morgan Morse (Ospreys – 1 cap), Garyn Phillips (Ospreys – uncapped), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 10 caps), James Ratti (Ospreys – 3 caps), Danny Southworth (Cardiff – uncapped), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 43 caps), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 61 caps), Ben Warren (Ospreys – uncapped).

Backs (12)
Jacob Beetham (Cardiff – 1 cap), Rio Dyer (Dragons – 23 caps), Dan Edwards (Ospreys – 6 caps), Kieran Hardy (Ospreys – 27 caps), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets – 6 caps), Ellis Mee (Scarlets – 3 caps), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys – 1 cap), Blair Murray (Scarlets – 13 caps), Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 6 caps), Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 13 caps), Callum Sheedy (Cardiff – 16 caps), Ben Thomas (Cardiff – 16 caps).

 

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