Wales have named five uncapped players in their squad for the autumn internationals - including under-20s skipper Joe Hawkins - as captain Dan Biggar misses out through injury.
Fly-half Biggar, who has led Wales throughout the 2022 Six Nations and the summer tour to South Africa, misses the campaign after injuring his knee playing for Northampton two weeks ago. No captain has been earmarked in his place, with Wales boss Wayne Pivac suggesting there may be more than one throughout November.
In his place, Gareth Anscombe, who is expected to return from a rib injury and play for the Ospreys this week, will be the premier fly-half in the squad and there is a first official call-up for 21-year-old Sam Costelow, who impressed the Wales management when he trained against the squad before the South Africa trip last summer. Rhys Priestland is the other No.10 in the squad.
Elsewhere, scrum-half Dane Blacker, under-20s captain and centre Hawkins and Dragons winger Rio Dyer have earned their first senior call-ups.
The one uncapped player in the forwards is Scarlets flanker Josh Macleod, who was supposed to make his debut in the 2021 Six Nations but suffered an injury in training after being named to face Scotland.
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Joining Macleod in the back-row is the returning Christ Tshiunza, who has been in impressive form for Exeter of late and Justin Tipuric, who has been missing recently with a rib injury. Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell are both called up alongside Taulupe Faletau, but there is no room for Cardiff flanker Thomas Young.
Among the props, Nicky Smith has earned a Wales recall after over a year out of the Test arena, and there is no place for Cardiff prop Rhys Carre, with Scarlets' loose-head Wyn Jones listed as unavailable.
Stalwarts Ken Owens and Leigh Halfpenny are both named in the squad having recently returned from long-term back and knee injuries.
Joining Jones and Biggar in missing out through injury are Taine Basham, Leon Brown, Seb Davies, Josh Navidi, Johnny Williams and Liam Williams.
Speaking on the squad, Pivac said: “It’s great to have Ken, Justin and Leigh back after long-term injuries. They are three great players who have served Wales very well. They are all British and Irish Lions, so quality players. We’re excited to have them in the squad for obvious reasons.
"We have a number of young players in this squad so it will be great for them to rub shoulders with these experienced ones."
Pick the best Wales team from the autumn squad
Talking about the uncapped players in the squad, Pivac added: “There’s a lot of young players we’ve been keeping an eye on for a number of years through the age group system and now playing club rugby. There’s a view of the here and now in this squad but also beyond Rugby World Cup 2023 to the tournament in 2027, so there’s some young guys getting the opportunity to taste the camp environment.
"They may or may not get game time, but it will be a great experience for them.
“Dane Blacker has been playing well at nine for the Scarlets. We know a lot about Gareth (Davies) it’s not the end of the road for Gareth, I’ve spoken to him. Sam Costelow is another young player at the Scarlets playing well and having come through the age grade system. Joe Hawkins is the same, he captained the U20s so he’s a player for the future. Rio Dyer came into camp ahead of the South Africa Test Series to help the squad prepare and performed well. He’s currently playing really well for the Dragons.
“Josh Macleod is an interesting one. He’s been selected in a couple of camps before. Unfortunately he was injured before coming in playing for the Scarlets, then we actually named him to play in a Six Nations game against Scotland and he ruptured his Achilles in training which was devastating for him. He’s a guy that’s been on our radar for some time and to get him into the squad and have another look at him, we’re excited for Josh.
Regarding the captaincy, Pivac said: “For us it’s about finalising the squad today and then we’ll look closely at who’s going to lead the side. We have quite a few options with a lot of experience in the squad now. There’s probably an opportunity for more than one captain in this series.”
Forwards (20): Rhodri Jones, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Ryan Elias, Dewi Lake, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Dillon Lewis, Sam Wainwright, Adam Beard, Ben Carter, Alun Wyn Jones, Will Rowlands, Taulupe Faletau, Dan Lydiate, Josh Macleod, Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, Justin Tipuric, Christ Tshiunza.
Backs (15): Dane Blacker, Kieran Hardy, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Sam Costelow, Rhys Priestland, Joe Hawkins, George North, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams, Alex Cuthbert, Rio Dyer, Leigh Halfpenny, Louis Rees-Zammit.
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