Warren Gatland named a massive 54-man World Cup training squad as the preparations for the 2023 World Cup began in earnest.
There were 10 uncapped players named, with some surprise inclusions and omissions.
Here's everything Gatland had to say after naming his extended squad, which you can seein full here.
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Talk us through such a big selection?
“We’ve gone for a bigger squad than we would normally. We’ve got a number of players who are carrying injuries and it’s when players will become available to us.
"The regions are done but we’ve still got players outside of Wales. The reasons behind that are a couple. In previous World Cups, we’ve picked up a number of injuries towards the end of tournaments. This gives this group of players the chance to come in for the first five weeks and condition them for that first period.
"We’ll reduce the squad to about 45 for Switzerland and then again when we go to the second camp in Turkey. There’s a good opportunity for a number of new players in Wales to come in and to impress the coaching staff in that first part.
"There’s a bit of jeopardy with us reducing the size of the squad as we go on. It’s a great chance for players to make an impact.”
Why have you decided to select tight-head Henry Thomas (former England international) and when did he come across your radar?
“He’s been at Montpellier. He was involved last year with them winning the league. He’s someone we’ve spoken to a number of years ago about his availability.
"We think with his experience and he brings something different. With that competition for places, probably he big focus for us is on the tight-five.
"Players that give us that athleticism and mobility is a big area we need to improve on our game. We feel there’s a lot of competition in that area. It’s a challenge for players to impress when they come into camp.”
Is that why the likes of Corey Domachowski, Kieron Assiratti and Kemsley Mathias have all been selected?
“Tight-five is an area that we need to definitely improve. Looking at the age-profile, some of those youngsters coming in their mid-20s, there’s a good chance for some of those guys to make an impression and be around for a number of years.
"We’ve been impressed with how those two props have scrummaged for Cardiff against Sale and the Ospreys. They’re at the right age, they’ve been around for a while and are in their mid-20s. There’s a chance for them to develop. We see some real growth in them. Hopefully we see that in the first part of this camp and in the future."
Can you explain why you have been able to select Will Rowlands, but not Joe Hawkins?
“The PRB have said that Will Rowlands is eligible. He’s still with the Dragons until the end of the year. He might get a couple more games which would make him eligible from the point of the 25-cap rule.
"He’s got 23. At this stage, we’ve been told by the PRB that Joe isn’t available." (You can read the full PRB explanation statement here).
How disappointing is it to lose Hawkins?
"He's made his decision to go to Exeter. I've spoken to him two or three times. We said that we thought he was a big part of our future and definitely in the 23 either in the midfield or at 10.
"We are disappointed that he's made that decision. He feels at the moment that going to play club rugby in England will be good for his development. I've got to respect that decision, but I know from a coaching perspective and a coaching team, we're disappointed to lose someone of his potential and his talent at least for the next few years.
"He felt that he was potentially undervalued a little bit. He's been offered a pretty significant deal and he's made that decision to move on."
What about the decision to recall Cory Hill after a couple of years away?
"His experience, what he's provided us in the past. He's an outstanding line-out caller, gives us that mobility and athleticism in that tight five and I think he'll put some real pressure on the other second rows. Will Rowlands will also give us that experience and competition in that second row."
Are you confident there's enough time to improve ahead of the World Cup?
"We were disappointed with the Six Nations, we definitely improved as the campaign went on. We scored four tries in the last two games. It wasn't good enough from our standards, but in terms of the teams in the Six Nations we feel we've got the biggest uplift and amount of growth.
"From past experience we have always prided ourselves on how hard we work during World Cups and I don't this campaign will be any different. For us as a coaching team, and me as a coach, you're really excited about World Cups and preparations.
"At times it feels like a club side because of the time you get to have with the players, building up and leading to the warm-up games and then selection for the World Cup. The players who do miss out will have time in the squad and we will pick up injuries as we go along. It also gives them preparation leading to the domestic season as well."
What is the family connection with Henry Thomas?
"Through his father. Jonathan Humphries reached out and had a conversation with him about being potentially available. He was at Sale a number of years ago, they saw him as the big thing.
"He had a lot of time at Bath and moved onto Montpellier. We realised he was available to us and we think he will give us some competition there in the front row. He's been around, he's experienced, he's 31, so he will hopefully come in and make an impression.
"When he's available to us and finishes at Montpellier is something we'll keep an eye on. He's pretty excited about it."
Something of a rarity having players joining camp late due to being involved in the business end of the season?
"He's got experience last year of winning Top 14. I've seen him saying how much he enjoyed that and winning silverware, which was big and having that confidence.
"You've got to be pretty tough to play up front in France given how big some of the forwards are there. You've got to bring a physical element and be strong at the set-piece. He has also got some good ball-carrying ability and is pretty mobile getting around the park."
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