Liam Williams and Cory Hill are the surprise selections as Gatland has selected four new faces. The veterans have been plying their trade in Japan with Hill benefitting from Wales’ second-row crisis, three years since his last cap.
The kiwi’s newbies include Ospreys wing Keelan Giles, along with Cardiff pair Jacob Beetham and Ellis Bevan, whilst young Gloucester versatile back Josh Hathaway is also included.
Sam Costelow is the only specialist ten included, with returning Cardiff centre Ben Thomas providing cover, while one-cap Dragons second row Matthew Screech is also recalled.
World Cup co-captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake return having missed the Six Nations through injury, with Gatland yet to name his summer skipper.
The talking points will be around the omissions of several form players. Ospreys double player of the season Morgan Morris the most likely to surround conversations on the terrace, whilst in-form teammate Nicky Smith has enjoyed a stellar campaign at the Swansea-based region. Both Scarlets centres Eddie James and Johnny Williams, who have both enjoyed strong finishes to the season will also be disappointed not to have made the cut.
Gatland’s side face South Africa at Twickenham on 22 June, when several players based outside Wales are unavailable for a match is outside the official Test window.
The squad will be trimmed to 34 before heading on a two-Test tour of Australia in July.
Speaking after naming his squad Gatland said:
“I think everyone appreciates and realises we’re building towards 2027. There were moments during the Six Nations where we played some really good rugby and put the opposition teams under some pressure, but we probably weren’t accurate enough.
“It’s about playing for longer periods, putting halves together and putting an 80-minute performance together which ultimately gives you confidence and gives you that opportunity to win games.
“We need to build on that. We need to keep working hard. We’ve got some experience to come back into the squad and some exciting players which is good.
“The big focus for us is about our game management and to get better with that. But we also want to improve our collision dominance whether that’s attack or defence and create some more depth and competition within the squad.
“When the squad comes in we will look at a leadership group that is going to be important for us going forward.
“Then we’ll probably be looking to name a captain for the South Africa game and then name a captain for the tour.”
Wales squad to face South Africa and Australia
Forwards:
Corey Domachowski, Kemsley Mathias, Gareth Thomas, Elliot Dee, Dewi Lake, Evan Lloyd, Sam Parry, Keiron Assiratti, Archie Griffin, Dillon Lewis, Harri O’Connor, Henry Thomas, Ben Carter, Cory Hill, Dafydd Jenkins, Matthew Screech, Christ Tshiunza, Mackenie Martin, Jac Morgan, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright.
Backs:
Ellis Bevan, Gareth Davies, Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow, Mason Grady, Ben Thomas, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Rio Dyer, Keelan Giles, Josh Hathaway, Liam Williams, Jacob Beetham, Cameron Winnett.
[Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union]
