Newport Gwent Dragons flanker Dan Lydiate is the solitary uncapped player in Warren Gatland’s Wales squad for their autumn Tests against New Zealand, Samoa, Argentina and Australia.
Ospreys back-row forward Ryan Jones has retained the captaincy of a 29-man group that also includes three players — centre Jonathan Davies, prop Craig Mitchell and flanker Sam Warburton — who made their international debuts during Wales’ summer tour of the USA and Canada.
Scrum-half Dwayne Peel is also named, despite being unavailable for the All Blacks clash on November 7th due to the release policy at his club Sale Sharks, a situation that Gatland has long been aware of.
Peel is the only player in the squad who does not play his trade in Wales, but is vital to Gatland’s plans following Lions number nine Mike Phillips’ ankle injury that means he misses the entire autumn series.
Phillips’ fellow Lions though, prop Gethin Jenkins and flanker Martyn Williams, are back in the fray following their recoveries from post South Africa tour operations.
Ospreys centre Andrew Bishop and lock Ian Gough are the most notable omissions.
Gatland said: “The selection process has been relatively simple for us. Generally, we have gone for the incumbents in their positions at regional level, and selection reflects the good form our Welsh sides have shown already so far this season.
“Dan Lydiate is a good example of someone who has let his form do the talking, and he deserves his chance, as does Sam Warburton, who also impressed the coaches on tour this summer.
“Craig Mitchell keeps his place after making his debut on that tour, and as a recognised tighthead, he is definitely someone we are looking to develop, although both Gethin Jenkins and Paul James are in consideration as props who can play on both sides of the scrum.
“It’s ironic that we will have Dwayne to train with us for three days in Test week, but that he will have to go back to Manchester on match day, but it is something we have long been made aware of, accepted a long time ago and have made allowances for.”
The squad features 10 players from the Ospreys and Cardiff Blues, six Scarlets, two Dragons and Peel, with injury absentees including Lions Phillips, Lee Byrne and Adam Jones.
After the All Blacks Test, Wales face Samoa on November 13th, Argentina eight days later and then conclude the November programme against Australia on November 28th .
SQUAD – Backs:D Biggar, G Cooper, J Davies, T James, L Halfpenny, J Hook, M Jones, S Jones, D Peel, J Roberts, M Roberts, T Shanklin, S Williams.
Forwards:H Bennett, L Charteris, B Davies, P James, G Jenkins, A-W Jones, Duncan Jones, Dafydd Jones, R Jones (capt), D Lydiate, C Mitchell, A Powell, M Rees, J Thomas, S Warburton, M Williams.
