Wales Autumn International Squad Announced

A few shocks, a few injuries and some new caps. Does it tell us anything leading into the games next month, well Gatland is looking to blood fresh talent against international opposition. This fresh talent will most likely be the second string side which plays against Tonga in the Friday night game which is exactly a month away.



There is a notable call up after some assured performances against Japan on the Summer tour, and showing his talent for the Blues at the start of the season once again. However, the twenty year old will have competition to get in the squad even for the Tonga game as Gatland has gone with four fly-half's; Bigger, Preistland, Patchell and the out of favour James Hook. Probably the most talented among that list but doesn't play the way that Gatland likes, Hook will once again be playing the role of 'utility back', a kick in the guts for a player of his quality. If you can take anything from the way that this list is written then I would say that Hook has actually been picked at centre, rather than number 10, even though he has been playing there for Perpignan. Seems a strange call to me, either give him a run at number 10, or leave him out don't switch him around positions that he isn't keen on. Especially when James Hook at 28 is now by the Welsh standards a senior player, if he is cover for centre then that detracts from the aim of blooding young Welsh talent. This is what I'm getting from the way that this list is written, I may be wrong an personally would love to see Hook back in at 10.

Scott Williams gets a deserved call up after some brilliant Scarlets performances, along with Liam Williams and uncapped scrum-half Rhodri Williams. All three have been outstanding for the Scarlets this year, and with Mike Phillips recent drink issues at Bayonne, Rhodri Williams could start some of the bigger games.

No Alex Cuthbert, Jamie Roberts, Craig Mitchell or Rhys Gill, all out with injury. I picked Jordan Williams and Eli Walker to get first caps. I was half right, Gatland by the look of things has gone with only two out and out wingers, North and Walker. This possibly means that Walker will get a chance against the Springboks, which is some debut, but if it's good enough for George North... This is unless Halfpenny is shifted back to the wing where he began his career, and Liam Williams goes to full-back, we will have to wait and see. The omission of Jordan Williams does seem odd to me, when he has been playing very well and by only bringing two wingers, Gatland will have to play a full-back on the wing at some point.

There is also a place for uncapped Cory Allen, making three uncapped players in the squad, who will probably all gain their first this Autumn.

The Springboks announce their squad next week, at which point we will only twelve days away, the countdown has started!