Two uncapped players have been included in Wales’ 37-man squad for their four Tests in November.
Coach Warren Gatland has named a strong squad that includes eight British & Irish Lions players as well as uncapped duo Luke Morgan and Jonah Holmes.
Morgan is a wing who plays for the Ospreys and is also Wales Sevens’ all-time leading point- and try-scorer. Holmes is being used as a utility back by the Leicester Tigers in England, where he scored 10 tries in 11 games last season.
Alun Wyn Jones retains the captaincy, while Seb Davies, Aaron Shingler, James Davies, Josh Navidi, Taulupe Faletau, Scott Williams, Hallam Amos and Owen Lane all miss out on selection due to injury.
Wales face Scotland on 3 November, before meeting Australia, Tonga and the Springboks on 10, 17 and 24 November.
‘This is the start of a 12-month countdown to the World Cup and it is a huge opportunity for the players,’ Gatland said.
‘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.
‘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.’
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 (c), 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.
Photo: www.wru.co.uk
