Warren Gatland has named his Wales squad for the Autumn Internationals with Gloucester’s Freddie Thomas and Scarlets’ Blair Murray the uncapped names and Dewi Lake captaining the side.

Lake continues in the captaincy role, having done so in the summer. Dafydd Jenkins and Jac Morgan have also taken on the role in recent times.

Freddie Thomas, who scored three tries in four appearances for Gloucester, had previously appeared for England U20s, while Blair Murray is a recent recruit for Scarlets from Canterbury in New Zealand and qualifies for Wales through a Welsh mother.

Adam Beard, Ryan Elias, Jac Morgan, Will Rowlands, Henry Thomas and Tomos Williams return to the squad having missed the Tests in Australia this summer due to injury or being rested.

There are also recalls for Gareth Anscombe, Max Llewellyn, Tom Rogers, Nicky Smith and Rhodri Williams.

Wales play Fiji, Australia, and South Africa across three consecutive weekends in November, with all players available.

In previous years, Wales would play a fourth test match outside of the World Rugby window, meaning that foreign-based players would not be able to play. This time, the likes of Tommy Reffell, Gareth Anscombe, and Josh Hathaway will be available to play in all three matches.

“The coaches and I can’t wait to get started for this Autumn Nations Series and having the players back in camp next Monday to begin preparations for our first game against Fiji,” head coach Warren Gatland said.

“This is an exciting squad with some experience coming back to join the younger players. We know they are going to work incredibly hard as a group this November.

“We have three very different opposition in Fiji, Australia and South Africa, but are looking forward to the challenges that each will pose.

“The autumn campaign is always special because we have back-to-back matches at home each weekend and there is no better place to go and play than Principality Stadium with all the passion and energy of our incredible fans.”

Omissions from Wales’ autumn squad include Kieran Hardy, Corey Domachowski, Dillon Lewis, Mackenzie Martin and Cory Hill, while Dafydd Jenkins, Josh Adams, Liam Williams, Taulupe Faletau, Jacob Beetham, Elliot Dee and Harri O’Connor are sidelined due to injury.

Wales Squad:

Forwards:

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

Backs:

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

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