The Wales Squad For The 2024 Autumn Tests

Thank You .. Best wishes from Costa Rica

Nicely explained Christian for my self i also think it is a more competitive squad Wales actually may win a match this autumn? As you said a few surprises But i do feel that the inclusion of F.Thomas is a good thing as he gives the pack just a little more power in the ball carrying department ,along with M.Llwellyn for the backs Also such a shame E.Dee and D.Jenkins are injured As they would have enhanced the squad alot .I also have to say im disappointed that S.Costelow as selected ahead of C.Sheedy and that D.Edwards isn't in the squad [just for his development ] Costelow isn't even starting for the Scarlets at the moment I would also have liked to see I Lloyd in the squad as a utility player as he covers the back 3 and flyhalf Any way here's hoping Wales are COMPETITIVE and can win one or two games this series

It sounded like Gats suggested in the press conference that Ben Thomas and Mason Grady could be returning to center/wing respectively. Have a read if you haven't seen it

Christian do you agree Mason Grady needs to step up, great to see Jac Morgan back.

Thanks

I’d like to see this, because it gives us a strong bench, with a mix of experience and class.
1. Smith
2. Lake
3. Griffin
4. Rowlands
5. Carter
6. Plumtree
7. Morgan
8. Wainwright
9. Tomos
10. Anscombe
11. Dyer
12. Eddie James
13. Llewellyn
14. Hathaway
15. Murray

16. Thomas
17. Lloyd
18. Thomas
19. Tschiunza
20. Beard
21. Reffell
22. Bevan
23. Ben Thomas

Ryan Elias must have Gatlands nudes. Only explanation as to why he’s still playing international rugby

Although Dragons lost over the weekend I thought Rhodri Williams had a good game in particular his speed of recycling the ball. Given how good defences are at International level you need a scrum half that is quick and has vision. Wales now need to start to get wins to build confidence. Most of these players, if they are consistent, will be around for a while, and hopefully they will provide a structure where the likes of Dan Edwards, who I rate highly, will find a place. Personally I want to see 2 wins in the Autumn. Argentina who I would place on par with Wales beat New Zealand and South Africa in the Rugby Championship through playing a fast paced game. Sometimes I despair when I watch the regions play with the amount of handling errors which kills off any good momentum. In the past a forward might be forgiven but in today’s game that is not acceptable.

I can see Wales losing all three games.None of those countries will have drinks parties before the games.

Elias can't hit a barn door.

🤞we can grind a win or 2 , Thanks Christian , keep the faith 😘🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

I think the pack is the strongest its looked since the WC and with the potential of very experienced half back pairing plus choice of exciting options at 12 & 13, its a good squad. Just whether we can utilise them not shoehorn the talent we have into off positions like grady at 12 and thomas at 10 etc

Is Coughlan in the squad.Showing up well for the Dragons and their winger.Forgotten his name now,but been very good again for the Dragons this season.

Agree with Aneurin Owen and Rhodri Williams always been a good player.Should start at scrum half.

Agree with you about the "same old thing" with Gatland again. He only goes with what he knows and is too afraid to throw caution into the wind

Hi Christian, Good to see some familiar faces, Nicky Smith, Nick Tompkins, Gareth Anscome, Adam Beard. Good to see Dewi Lake as captain. Just have to see whats going to happen, we got to have one win out of the three games ( we normally play 4 games ). I don't feel negative of the summer tour of Australia losing by 10 points on both games and beating the Reds. Being honest looking forward but nervous. Good to catch your thoughts on the Autumn internationals catch you soon take care

Largely happy with that squad and the strongest we've probably seen since the world cup. I'd have made a few changes personally (Elias for Coghlan, Costelow for Edwards, Botham for SLH, Tompkins for J Williams) but there aren't many form players who missed out or undeserving players who got selected

I think I'd go with this as a 23

1 Nicky Smith
2 Dewi Lake
3 Archie Griffin
4 Adam Beard
5 Will Rowlands
6 Jac Morgan
7 Tommy Reffell
8 Aaron Wainwright
9 Tomos Williams
10 Gareth Anscombe
11 Rio Dyer
12 Ben Thomas
13 Max Llewellyn
14 Mason Grady
15 Cameron Winnett

16 Evan Lloyd
17 Gareth Thomas
18 Henry Thomas
19 Freddie Thomas
20 Taine Plumtree
21 Rhodri Williams
22 Blair Murray
23 Josh Hathaway

I agree with Shane Lewis Hughes, he's been pretty good , he will be interesting in years to come.

I would give gatland this autumn and the 6 nations to nail down a team , the forwards seem to be almost established apart from injury it's nice to see Will Rowlands back , but the backs still seem to be an undecided issue, I'm hoping Max Llewelin Blair Murray and Tom Rodgers settle into the team after some good displays of magic our old team of yonder used to have.

Lots of pros and cons with the squad, can see us having a great starting 15 with those players. Hopefully Gatlands choices can be justified but still some questionable decisions made

Tompkins has played first choice for years for Saracens who have been overall the best team in England for years, so I really think you should try to not to keep putting him down every time you get a chance., You cannot just say I have not seen any English rugby so i am surprised he's in the squad. (They are top of the table) and playing at a lot higher level than most of the other backs play.. Not saying he is a lock in for Wales but that could be because of the other players around him. But I have noticed you have no time for him at all. Sorry to go on and I enjoy your thoughts on things in the main.

I think the best news in this squad is having anscombe back as it gives us a viable option at 10 which allows ben thomas to play in his natural position at 12. I think it's going to be another tough block of fixtures results wise but i guess we have to let some of the newer players gain that experience necessary for us to take that next step. I just hope we don't get trounced & can put in some competitive performances! Cheers christian.

Shame to see Beard and Tompkins in there - could have taken the chance to move on from those two. Shame not to see Leon Brown (I still have hope for him!), Teddy Williams (injured?), Mackenzie Martin (injured), and Macs Page all included.

On the whole, lots of youngsters and quite exciting, but a couple of powerful lads not picked in the forwards and I think we’ll regret that. On that theme, I know Rhys Carre was never in the mix, but he’s exactly the sort of player we need.

Really surprised to not see Sheedy in the mix, his distribution this weekend was next level,. thought he had played his way in. Also where is Hardy? the only SH that actually gives quick ball. Having said that, we are starting to get depth of strong centres again, think Jonny Williams was unlucky as he has bulked and running really well, but then Ben Thomas, Eddie James, Grady and Max are all great. Also good to see Blair Murry get a shout, very strong runner with a wicked step (bit Shane like) also love Hathaway. Forwards think they look strong but not sure we have the strength to match SA but we will see,

I think you have the link for the wrong Archie Griffin in your "more" Lol. Really good again👍

Been watching a bit more english premiership this year....max and thomas are killing it for Gloucester. I'm pretty sure they will start.

So no Sheedy or Jarrad Evans at 10 still when will Gatland get the hint that costelow cannot control a game has not improved in years !! Also were is regan grace ?

Gobeithiol gwnaiff Grady cyfle i chwarae fel canolwr. Pam dydy Jac ddim y Capten ? Dw I ddim yn credu bod , dweudais i "Thank God Anscombe is back." Bydd Costelow erioed ddim yn barod i'r tim genedlaethol

Morning Christian, squad looks OK to me the front rowers look like they can compete and the back 5 forewards have a bit of bulk and few line out options available glad to see Rowlands back, so a lot will depend on Lakes arrows! The backs I think look promising with Tomos and Chicken at h/b, I'd go with Ben Thomas at inside centre with llewellyn or James outside him, any 2 of the wingers and Winnett at 15! All in all quite happy!

Good squad, I've watched a few matches in the URC and Plumtree who was MOTM against the bulls I think will start either at 6 or 8, Morgan at 7 I think Wainwright must have some game time to shake of the rust if he does that then those three will make up the back row, In the second row Rowlands must start he's the best second rower Wales have, Christ went well in the summer so those two in the boiler house.
Front row will or should be Lake Archie and Smith he must be given chance to transfer his club form onto the international arena, scrum half will be Tomos and I will have Anscombe at 10, had it not been for terrible injuries he was Wales best option, now things get very tricky, at fullback Cam Winnett should start just wish he'd attack the line a bit more, Rio Dyer will take the one wing with Grady on the other, I think the partnership with Watkin failed, so now the centres, I just don't rate Watkin at all, along with Costello neither are international class, I was not impressed with James, yes big unit but lacked intensity in his play, but may come good, so I will go for at 12 Ben and Max at 13 even though I haven't seen him play but if he's pulling up trees let him have a
go, but will not be surprised to see Watkin in there or even Tomkins.
The game against Fiji is a must win absolutely crucial, if we can beat Australia and then give SA a good game it will give confidence to the team, we must see combinations begin to work then we have a better chance come the 6 nations.

T Williams, G Anscombe, R Dyer, B Thomas, M Llewelyn, M Grady, C Winnett
Ben Thomas is the Locksmith

I think Johnny Williams is unlucky. He’s never really done it for wales yet but neither has Owen Watkin and he’s in. Johnny has been good recently. I’d have taken Lloyd as a utility player. I think we need to find another option at fullback. I just don’t think Winnett will ever be good enough. The comparisons to halfpenny are laughable. Don’t rate Rogers either. Totally agree about his awful discipline. I believe he’s in solely because of how well he took his try at the weekend.