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Wales are without up to nine players for the Autumn Nations Series next month.
Warren Gatland has arguably selected his strongest squad since last year’s Rugby World Cup, but as is often the case there are still more than a handful of players who would have been in contention sidelined through injury. The three most prominent players who are not fit to play are Liam Williams,Josh Adams and Taulupe Faletau.
Williams has been sidelined with a knee injury while Adams has not played since last season after missing Wales’ tour of Australia. Faletau is recovering from a broken shoulder and is expected to return for Cardiff in the second block of United Rugby Championship fixtures.
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All three, who would have been likely starters this autumn had they been fit, are currently training with Wales. Elsewhere, Dragons lock Ben Carter has been been forced to withdraw from the autumn squad with a knee injury and has already been replaced by Cardiff’s Teddy Williams.
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Wales were already down one player from the summer tour with Exeter Chiefs lock Dafydd Jenkins laid low with injuries to his knee and shoulder but set to return ahead of the Six Nations. While Jenkins is an important player for Wales, the loss is softened somewhat by the return of experienced locks Adam Beard and Will Rowlands, who both missed the summer Tests against South Africa and Australia, respectively.
Wales are also without experienced Dragons hooker Elliot Dee who is out with an ankle injury with squad captain Dewi Lake, Ryan Elias and Evan Lloyd the three hookers in the squad. Three players who would have almost certainly been in contention for a squad place this autumn had they been fit are Bath wing Regan Grace, along with Cardiff pair Jacob Beetham and Theo Cabango.
Former rugby league superstar Grace was outstanding in Wales’ 36-35 victory over Queensland Reds this summer and impressed the coaches. But the 27-year-old recently underwent surgery on his hamstring and is out of action until the end of November.
Cardiff speedster Cabango is another player who hasn’t had any luck of late. The 22-year-old was being seriously considered for a place in Wales’ summer squad before damaging his hamstring and is set to be on the sidelines for a considerable period of time.
His Cardiff teammate Beetham won his first cap against South Africa this summer and is highly regarded by the Wales management but has not played this season after not recovering from an ankle injury sustained Down Under. Elsewhere, Scarlets tighthead Harri O’Connor is unlikely to figure this season after tearing his Achilles tendon.
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