(Photo: Getty Images)
By Adam Ellis
Warren Gatland has named his squad for the autumn international and handed a recall to in form Bath fly-half Rhys Priestland.
The 30-year-old starred in Bath’s Champions Cup victories over Treviso and Scarlets to continue an impressive start to the season and could be in line for a first start for Wales since beating Uruguay 54-9 in the 2015 World Cup.
Stepping up in place of the incumbent Dan Biggar who was rested on that occasion, Priestland now has a shot a regaining the ten jersey off Biggar who has held a firm grasp on it since 2014.
Despite his unfavourable form for Ospreys, Biggar joins Scarlets’ Rhys Patchell and Gloucester’s Owen Williams in completing the fly-half options for Gatland who made some noticeable omissions to his 36-man squad.
Experienced centres Jamie Roberts and Scott Williams hold 141 Test caps between them but has been omitted in favour of New Zealand-eligible Hadleigh Parkes, 21-year-old Owen Watkin, Lions hero Jonathan Davies, and 22-year-old Dragons centre Tyler Morgan.
Rhys Webb is included after much debate around whether selection policy would mean his move to Toulon at the end of the season could cause an obstacle.
While in the pack Gatland is willing to experiment by leaving out Luke Charteris, though Alun-Wyn Jones resumes the duty of captain.
“I’m really excited about this squad as we kick off the two year countdown to the 2019 Rugby World Cup,” said Wales head coach Gatland.
“We see this series as an opportunity to expose some players to the Test environment and continue to build our game as we look ahead to two years’ time.
“This autumn is a lot different to 12 months ago, where the focus was all about rankings. We have selected five uncapped players, there are a further six who made their debuts on the summer tour so it is a big opportunity to see all these players in this environment and I’m looking forward to seeing what they are able to do.”
Gatland added: “The important message for those players who have missed out: the door isn’t closed.”
Wales open their autumn international series against Australia on 11 November and later face Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Wales squad:
Forwards: Nicky Smith, Rob Evans, Wyn Jones, Tomas Francis, Samson Lee, Leon Brown*, Kristian Dacey, Ken Owens, Elliot Dee*, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones, Seb Davies, Adam Beard, Cory Hill, Justin Tipuric, Sam Cross*, Dan Lydiate, Taulupe Faletau, Aaron Shingler, Josh Navidi.
Backs: Gareth Davies, Rhys Webb, Aled Davies, Dan Biggar, Rhys Patchell, Rhys Priestland, Owen Williams, Hadleigh Parkes*, Owen Watkin*, Jonathan Davies, Tyler Morgan, Alex Cuthbert, Steffan Evans, Hallam Amos, Liam Williams, Leigh Halfpenny.
*Uncapped player
