Wales Announce Three New Names for the Autumn Internationals

Like England at the end of last week, Warren Gatland has announced his Welsh squad for the coming Autumn Internationals which feature uncapped Scarlets scrum-half Rhodri Williams, Cardiff centre Cory Allen and Ospreys winger Eli Walker.

The men in red have a difficult and heavy Autumn test series ahead as they face South Africa, Argentina, Tonga and finally Australia.

The campaign begins for the Six Nations Champions on November the 9th as the Springboks return to the Millennium Stadium.

Alongside the debutants, Perpignan’s Luke Charteris and James Hook return to the side with Osprey’s Aaron Jarvis and Scarlet’s Rhys Priestland returning from injury.

Unfortunately, though, for the Welsh, Lions centre Jamie Roberts misses out due to an ankle injury and Lions wing Alex Cuthbert will also play no part after suffering a leg injury in Cardiff’s shock victory over Toulon in the Heineken Cup at the weekend.

The front row remains intact since this year’s Six Nations, as Gethin Jenkins, Scott Andrews, Ryan Bevington, Adam Jones, Richard Hibbard, Paul James and Ken Owens all feature in the squad.

Just behind them Lions pairing of Alun Wyn Jones and Ian Evans are named alongside the returning Luke Charteris, who has not featured since last November.

The back row looks to be the strongest, with a wealth of experience, led by Captain Sam Warburton. Alongside him is Dan Lydiate, Toby Faletau, Ryan Jones and Justin Tipuric.

In the backs Mike Phillips is named, alongside the returning James Hook and Rhys Priestland. Priestland will provide stiff competition to Osprey’s Dan Biggar, who played all of the Wales 2013 Six Nations encounters.

Warren Gatland added that “we have an important campaign ahead as we look to test ourselves against some of the best sides in the world but also add strength in depth to our squad as we look to the future," when he spoke to the BBC.

"We face a huge game against South Africa first up and they will be coming to us after an impressive Rugby Championship campaign.

"Recent matches between us have been very close and physical and that will be a great test for us to kick-off.

"All four matches will be a stern test but we are looking forward to the challenge and looking forward to seeing what we can do on this stage.

"The Rugby World Cup is less than two years away, so we are looking to build as much depth in our squad as possible and to give vital international experience to our players."

South Africa will announce their squad ahead of the first test at the Millennium Stadium on Monday the 28th of October.

Wales Squad:

Forwards: Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Paul James (Bath), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (capt, Cardiff Blues), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro)

Backs: Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Patchell (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Jon Davies (Scarlets), Ashley Beck (Ospreys), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Owen Williams (Cardiff Blues), James Hook (Perpignan), George North (Northampton Saints), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets).