Wales recall host of senior figures to squad for Autumn Nations Series
Wales boss Warren Gatland has named two uncapped players in a 35-strong squad for the Autumn Nations Series.New Zealand-born Scarlets wing Blair Murray – who qualifies for Wales via his mother – and Gloucester’s former England Under-20 lock Freddie Thomas have both made the squad ahead of games against Fiji, Australia and South Africa in November.Dragons scrum-half Rhodri Williams, who has not played for Wales since 2014, is recalled along with the likes of Leicester prop Nicky Smith, Gloucester backs Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn, plus Scarlets back Tom Rogers.Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake, meanwhile, retains the captaincy after leading...
Wales head coach Warren Gatland not seeking to ‘protect my own backside’
Warren Gatland says he is not thinking about his own position ahead of Wales’ Autumn Nations Series Tests against Fiji, Australia and South Africa.The Wales head coach has been boosted by several senior internationals returning to Test action – such as Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams, Will Rowlands and Adam Beard – for a campaign that starts on November 10 when Fiji arrive in Cardiff.But he has again not been afraid to blood newcomers, with uncapped Scarlets wing Blair Murray and Gloucester lock Freddie Thomas handed first senior call-ups.Sixteen of a 35-strong squad have single-figure caps, and it remains about...