Dewi Lake to captain Wales for November Tests as squad announced

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has confirmed that Dewi Lake will retain the captaincy for the upcoming November tests, leading a 35-man squad that includes two uncapped players.

Wales will face Fiji, Australia, and South Africa in a crucial series, with Lake continuing his leadership after captaining the team during their July tour to Australia.

Lake, who co-captained Wales alongside Jac Morgan during last year’s World Cup, will lead the squad this autumn, despite Morgan’s return from injury.

"Dewi did a great job over the summer, and we've decided for him to continue in the role," said Gatland.

Morgan is among several players recalled to the squad after missing the Australia tour, alongside Adam Beard, Ryan Elias, Will Rowlands, Henry Thomas, and Tomos Williams.

Veteran flyhalf Gareth Anscombe, who has been sidelined for over a year following an injury during the 2023 World Cup, makes his return. The 33-year-old last featured in Wales' 40-6 win over Australia but missed the Six Nations and Australia tour due to injury.

Notably, Dragons’ scrum-half Rhodri Williams returns to the international scene for the first time in 10 years, having won his last cap in 2014.

Gatland has included two uncapped players in the squad: Gloucester lock Freddie Thomas and Scarlets’ wing Blair Murray. Thomas previously played for England at the under-20 level, while Murray is a former New Zealand Schoolboys international.

Wales, currently on a nine-match losing streak, face a critical opening test against Fiji in Cardiff on November 10. A loss would see them equal their longest run of consecutive defeats, raising the stakes for this autumn series.

Wales squad:

Forwards: Keiron Assiratti, Adam Beard, James Botham, Ben Carter, Ryan Elias, Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake (c), Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Jac Morgan, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Will Rowlands, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Freddie Thomas, Henry Thomas, Christ Tshiunza, Aaron Wainwright

Backs: Gareth Anscombe, Ellis Bevan, Sam Costelow, Rio Dyer, Mason Grady, Josh Hathaway, Eddie James, Max Llewellyn, Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Ben Thomas, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Rhodri Williams, Tomos Williams, Cameron Winnett