Louis Rees-Zammit set to face Boks as Wales reveal Nations Series squad

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Louis Rees-Zammit has been named in Steve Tandy’s 39-man Wales squad for the upcoming Nations Series.

The 24-year-old marked his return to rugby at the beginning of the season, joining the Bristol Bears after 18 months in the NFL. In that time, Wales have only managed one victory.

The winger will join a squad that has five uncapped players: Dragons hooker Brodie Coghlan, Ospreys second-row James Fender and back-row Morgan Morse, Cardiff loosehead prop Danny Southworth and Bath centre Louie Hennessey.

There are call ups for Jacob Beetham, Rhys Davies, Rio Dyer, Jarrod Evans, Joe Hawkins, Max Llewellyn, Callum Sheedy and Nick Tompkins in a Wales squad that has an average age of 26.

Rhys Carre is also included following confirmation by the Professional Rugby Board that he is eligible for Wales selection. Tandy said: “It’s been really exciting going through the whole process and realising how many good players we’ve got. We’ve got to the decision of the selection, which we are really happy with.

“There’s a really good mix of some young guys coming in, mixed with some experience as well. But the overall feeling is really exciting and I can’t wait to get the boys into camp on Monday.

“When we come in Monday, obviously there’s new coaches, it’s a new time and there are some new faces in and around the playing group as well. So first and foremost, it’s about getting us connected and getting us nice and tight in around what we want to be through this Nations Series, getting clarity on our identity and our game model.”

On the captaincy Tandy added: “Jac was captain for the Six Nations and then Dewi did a brilliant job on the summer tour when Jac was with the Lions.

“I think we’ve got a couple of really good young leaders coming through, but I feel Jac he’s just an amazing player, an amazing human being and I feel he’s going to go from strength to strength as a captain for our nation and also been underpinned by some young leaders like Dewi and Daf Jenkins.”

Players will assemble in Wales camp on Monday, October 27 to begin preparations for the Nations Series. Wales kicks off its campaign on Sunday, November 9 against World Cup 2023 quarterfinal opponents Argentina.

Los Pumas will be making their thirteenth appearance in Cardiff having last played here in November 2022 when Wales won 20-13.

After that Wales play Japan, who hosted Wales in a two-Test series this summer, on Saturday, November 15.

It ended one win each in July with Wales taking victory in the second Test in Kobe. Now the Brave Blossoms make their first visit to Cardiff in nine years.

They last played here in 2016 when Wales won 33-30.

Wales will then face New Zealand on Saturday, November 22. The All Blacks will be making the trip to Principality Stadium for the first time in three years.

In the final match of the 2025 Nations Series, Wales will play World Champions South Africa on Saturday, November 29.

Wales squad: 

Forwards:

Keiron Assiratti, Adam Beard, Liam Belcher, Rhys Carre, Ben Carter, Brodie Coghlan, Christian Coleman, Rhys Davies,
Taulupe Faletau, James Fender, Archie Griffin, Dafydd Jenkins, Dewi Lake, Alex Mann, Jac Morgan, Morgan Morse, Taine Plumtree, Nicky Smith, Danny Southworth, Gareth Thomas, Freddie Thomas, Aaron Wainwright.

Backs:

Josh Adams, Jacob Beetham, Rio Dyer, Dan Edwards, Jarrod Evans, Kieran Hardy, Joe Hawkins, Louie Hennessey, Max Llewellyn, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Blair Murray, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tom Rogers, Callum Sheedy, Ben Thomas, Nick Tompki, Tomos Williams.