After years of neglect and it having fallen into disrepair, the road to Wales’ training base in the Vale of Glamorgan has finally been renovated.
The potholes have been replaced by a new, pristine surface. Warren Gatland will hope his team’s autumn campaign will be as smooth as his players’ journeys into work.
For the past 18 months, Wales have operated on choppy waters. Gatland’s men have lost their last nine Tests and their head coach has admitted 2023-24 was an ‘incredibly challenging year.’ But after naming his squad on Monday for three November Tests with Fiji, Australia and South Africa, Gatland looked to change the narrative.
He accepted Wales must get back to winning ways. He urged his party to stand up to be counted and impress to try and earn a place on next summer’s British & Irish Lions tour of Australia. Gatland didn’t say so explicitly, but it was clear he is targeting wins over Fiji and Australia before taking on the back-to-back world champions in Cardiff.
‘Results are important,’ Gatland admitted after picking Gloucester lock Freddie Thomas and Scarlets wing Blair Murray as uncapped players in a 35-man party.
Warren Gatland has named his 35-man Wales squad for upcoming November internationals
Hooker Dewi Lake (left) will captain Wales, while Freddie Thomas (right) has earned a first cap
Wales have lost their last nine internationals and are seeking to get back to winning ways
‘There’s no hiding from the expectations and scrutiny in international rugby. I’m comfortable with that.
‘My experience, particularly with Wales teams, it is it’s all about momentum and self-belief. You build on that. These next six months are important, not just with the autumn and Six Nations, but for a number of players within the squad who see themselves as in contention for the Lions tour.’
Last season, Wales’ only wins came in uncapped matches against the Barbarians and Queensland Reds. Were they to lose to Fiji on November 10, their winless Test run would extend to 10 matches and equal the worst losing sequence in Welsh history.
Gatland has a youthful squad having lost a mountain of experience both pre and post last year’s World Cup. Wales’ autumn squad has only three players – Aaron Wainwright, Adam Beard and Tomos Williams – with 50 or more caps. Sixteen of the 35 are either uncapped or in single figures.
Hooker Dewi Lake will captain Wales this autumn, as he did in the July Test series defeat by Australia. Gatland has insisted he will continue to give youth its chance.
‘I’ve tried to be incredibly honest. I’m not here thinking about my own position or how I protect my own backside. It’s about making the right decisions for Wales,’ he said.
‘I’m really excited by the talent within the squad. I understand the short term is important.’
Wales squad for November Tests
Forwards: Keiron Assiratti, Adam Beard, James Botham, Ben Carter, Ryan Elias, Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake (captain), Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Jac Morgan, Taine Plumtree , Tommy Reffell
Will Rowlands, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Freddie Thomas, Henry Thomas, Christ Tshiunza, Aaron Wainwright
Backs: Gareth Anscombe, Ellis Bevan, Sam Costelow, Rio Dyer, Mason Grady, Josh Hathaway, Eddie James, Max Llewellyn, Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Ben Thomas
Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Rhodri Williams, Tomos Williams, Cameron Winnett
Aaron Wainwright (left), the Dragons No 8, is named despite not having played since July due to a hamstring injury
While experienced Lions trio Taulupe Faletau, Liam Williams and Josh Adams are all out injured, there is cause for optimism for Wales in the return of other key figures.
Williams, Beard, Gareth Anscombe, Jac Morgan, Will Rowlands and Ryan Elias all missed the Australia series but will likely play a central role part next month.
‘Hopefully some of that talent and experience coming back gives more confidence and self-belief,’ said Gatland. ‘They’ve been involved in teams that have won Six Nations titles.
‘That makes a huge difference.’ Neither No 8 Faletau nor wing Adams have played club rugby for Cardiff this season.
MailSport’s verdict on Wales’ two new faces
Freddie Thomas
Club: Gloucester
Position: Lock and back-row
Verdict: Thomas is only 22 but is one of five Gloucester players in Gatland’s squad. He has had a great start to the season, scoring three tries in five games. Thomas has opted to represent Wales despite playing for England at Under-20 level.
Gatland said: ‘Freddie’s still young. He’s been playing in the second row but can cover back-row as well. We think his performances for Gloucester have been really good.’
Blair Murray
Club: Scarlets
Position: Wing or full-back
Verdict: The 23-year-old New Zealand-born back joined the Scarlets in the summer after leaving his homeland. He qualifies for Wales through his mother, who is originally from Tonyrefail.
Gatland said: ‘The try Blair finished for the Scarlets at the weekend was excellent. He’s quick. He’s come through New Zealand rugby system. He can cover a number of positions and gives us a left-foot option as well.’
By Alys Haynes
It is understood they may come into the Wales squad to train and continue their return to full fitness, but won’t play any competitive action.
‘I think if those players that are selected for the first game do well, I can’t see myself making any changes in this campaign,’ said Gatland, hinting at continuity in selection.
Such consistency would undoubtedly help Wales. The form of scrum-half Williams and centre Max Llewellyn at Gloucester has been promising too although Gatland said his Wales team wouldn’t play the sort of attacking rugby George Skivington’s Cherry and Whites have delivered in the Gallagher Premiership so far this season.
‘They’ve scored a lot of tries, but they’ve conceded a lot of tries as well,’ Gatland said of Gloucester. ‘We’ve got to find that balance between having the confidence to play and be expansive, but also be smart and strong defensively. International rugby is a lot different to club rugby. It’s more structured and you’re in that arm wrestle. There’s more kicking.
‘It’s about waiting for those opportunities that don’t come around often. You’ve got players who are bigger, faster and more physical. There’s less room in defence.’
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