New Wales Rugby Union head coach Steve Tandy has named Ospreys duo James Fender and Morgan Morse in a 39-player squad for this November’s Quilter Nations Series.
Jac Morgan returns to captain the squad for the campaign having been on tour with The British and Irish Lions this summer in Australia. Fellow Lion Tomos Williams is also selected for Wales this autumn.
Second rows Adam Beard and Dafydd Jenkins return having missed the two-Test series in Japan due to being given a break and elective surgery respectively.
Five uncapped players are selected among the 22 forwards and 17 backs named today:
Dragons RFC hooker Brodie Coghlan, Ospreys second row James Fender and back row Morgan Morse, Cardiff Rugby prop Danny Southworth and Bath Rugby centre Louie Hennessey.
There are call ups for Jacob Beetham, Rhys Davies, Rio Dyer, Jarrod Evans, Joe Hawkins, Max Llewellyn, Louis Rees-Zammit, Callum Sheedy and Nick Tompkins in a Wales squad that has an average age of 26.
Rhys Carre is also included following confirmation by the Professional Rugby Board that he is eligible for Wales selection.
Speaking on his selection Tandy said:
“It’s been really exciting going through the whole process and realising how many good players we’ve got. We’ve got to the decision of the selection, which we are really happy with.
“There’s a really good mix of some young guys coming in, mixed with some experience as well. But the overall feeling is really exciting and I can’t wait to get the boys into camp on Monday.
“When we come in Monday, obviously there’s new coaches, it’s a new time and there are some new faces in and around the playing group as well. So first and foremost, it’s about getting us connected and getting us nice and tight in around what we want to be through this Quilter Nations Series, getting clarity on our identity and our game model.
“Jac [Morgan] was captain for the Six Nations and then Dewi [Lake] did a brilliant job on the summer tour when Jac was with the Lions.
“I think we’ve got a couple of really good young leaders coming through, but I feel Jac he’s just an amazing player, an amazing human being and I feel he’s going to go from strength to strength as a captain for our nation and also been underpinned by some young leaders like Dewi and Daf Jenkins.”
Players will assemble in Wales camp on Monday 27 October to begin preparations for the Quilter Nations Series.
Wales kicks off its autumn campaign at 3.10pm on Sunday 9 November against Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-final opponents Argentina. Los Pumas will be making their thirteenth appearance in Cardiff having last played here in November 2022 when Wales won 20-13.
After that Wales play Japan, who hosted Wales in a two-Test series this summer, on Saturday 15 November, kick-off 5.40pm. It ended one win each in July with Wales taking victory in the second Test in Kobe. Now the Brave Blossoms make their first visit to Cardiff in nine years. They last played here in 2016 when Wales won 33-30.
Wales will then face New Zealand on Saturday 22 November, kick off 3.10pm. The All Blacks will be making the trip to Principality Stadium for the first time in three years.
In the final match of the 2025 Quilter Nations Series, Wales will play World Champions South Africa on Saturday 29 November, kick off 3.10pm to finish up a huge autumn.
Wales squad for autumn Tests
Forwards
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Adam Beard (Montpellier), Liam Belcher (Cardiff), Rhys Carre (Saracens), Ben Carter (Dragons), Brodie Coghlan (Dragons), Christian Coleman (Dragons), Rhys Davies (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff), James Fender (Ospreys), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Alex Mann (Cardiff), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Morgan Morse (Ospreys), Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers), Danny Southworth (Cardiff), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Freddie Thomas (Gloucester), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).
Backs
Josh Adams (Cardiff), Jacob Beetham (Cardiff), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Jarrod Evans (Harlequins), Kieran Hardy (Ospreys), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets), Louie Hennessey (Bath), Max Llewellyn (Gloucester), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Callum Sheedy (Cardiff), Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Tomos Williams (Gloucester).
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
Great to see Morgan Morse getting call up … he has been knocking at the door for a while, great player. Surprised to see Rhys Carre can play, having previously been deemed ineligible under the 25-cap rule. Good news for both of them.