Our latest Autumn Nations Series preview focuses on a Wales side that are continuing a period of transition under head coach Warren Gatland.
The Welsh side went into the Six Nations earlier this year full of promise, yet also uncertainty, as they began a process of phasing out their more experienced squad members in favour of a younger generation. Five uncapped players were included for the annual competition and they ultimately finished bottom of the table, losing all five of their matches.
However, that doesn’t tell the whole story, as their defeats to Scotland, England and Italy were all incredibly tight and could easily have gone the other way. Not one to rest on his laurels, Gatland has continued to make drastic changes to his group ahead of the Autumn Nations Series.
Another two uncapped players have been given the nod – this time in the form of Freddie Thomas and Blair Murray – while a further 11 players in the squad have just five caps or fewer. Meanwhile, Rhodri Williams has been handed a shock recall to the international stage, more than 10 years after his last Wales cap.
Wales have played three times this summer, with games against their Autumn Nations Series opponents South Africa and Australia. They’ve now lost nine consecutive international matches yet they’ve shown some potential and they’ll be hoping to continue their gradual improvement and show that youth is the way forward.
Wales v Fiji – Sunday 10th November, Principality Stadium
Wales kick off their Autumn Nations Series campaign at home to Fiji, a side they boast an excellent record against. The two sides have met 14 times in their history, with Wales coming out on top on 12 occasions – Fiji’s only win came in the pool stage of the 2007 World Cup.
The last six meetings have gone in Wales’ favour, including a 32-26 victory in their opening game of the World Cup a year ago. None of the try scorers for Wales that day are in their latest squad, so they’ll need a new hero to take on the responsibility if they want to continue their strong record.
One of those scorers was George North, who hung up his boots earlier this year. The icon will be a huge miss for his nation and Gatland faces a tough task in finding somebody to replace his influence. While Wales will be the favourites heading into this clash, Fiji will be more up to speed as they face Scotland the previous week and the South Pacific nation may just fancy their chances of causing an upset in Cardiff.
Wales v Australia – Sunday 17th November, Principality Stadium
Wales and Australia met twice over the summer and Gatland’s side found themselves on the losing side on both occasions. The first encounter was tight, with only two points separating them before Tom Wright produced a sensational solo try to secure the win with 10 minutes left.
The second game was less competitive yet when they meet next month, Wales will be hoping for a repeat of their clash in the World Cup last autumn. Australia were humbled that day, losing 40-6 in a game that reflected their poor record against the Welsh.
Prior to this summer, they’d beaten Wales just once since 2017. Yet they’ve had their number in recent months and the hosts will need to find some long-awaited form if they want to get back to winning ways.
Wales v South Africa – Saturday 23rd November, Principality Stadium
In their final game of the series, Wales face another side they’ve lost to this summer in the form of South Africa. The world champions ran riot at Twickenham back in June, scoring five tries in a 41-13 drubbing.
Despite Dewi Lake’s best efforts to galvanise his side, they were scoreless in the second half and the visitors took control as they won their first game back since their World Cup win last autumn.
Wales have beaten South Africa just seven times in their history, with their last success coming on a tour two years ago. That was their only victory in the last seven meetings and South Africa will be confident of continuing that record in Cardiff next month.
Forwards
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby), Adam Beard (Ospreys), James Botham (Cardiff Rugby), Ben Carter (Dragons), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby), Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby), Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers), Will Rowlands (Racing 92), Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby), Henry Thomas (Scarlets), Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons)
Backs
Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester Rugby), Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby), Josh Hathaway (Gloucester Rugby), Eddie James (Scarlets), Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Rhodri Williams (Dragons), Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby), Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby)
For 20 years Engage have been delivering premium hospitality experiences around the world and we're thrilled to celebrate '20 Years of Engage' throughout the 2025 sporting and entertainment calendar. On a fantastic milestone for the company, our...