Dewi Lake will lead the Wales squad in the campaign, which Wales will open against the newly crowned Pacific Nations Cup Champions Fiji on Sunday 10th November, followed by Tests against Australia and South Africa on consecutive weekends - all live on TNT Sports.
Head coach Warren Gatland has injected some new blood into the squad in the form of Gloucester Rugby’s Freddie Thomas and Scarlets’ summer signing Blair Murray.
New Zealand-born wing Murray qualifies for Wales through his mother. Gloucester lock Thomas has been capped by England at both under-18 and 20s level but has switched allegiance as he qualifies through his Welsh grandparents.
Wales have been blighted by injuries in recent campaigns, so will be boosted by the return of some more experienced members of the squad such as Adam Beard, Ryan Elias, Jac Morgan, Will Rowlands, Henry Thomas and Tomos Williams, having all missed the summer tour to Australia due to injury or being rested.
Perhaps most exciting for many fans is the naming of Aaron Wainwright, a recent winner of the Welsh Rugby Writers’ Association’s Player of the Year award, who is making a comeback from hamstring surgery.
Gareth Anscombe is among the key players back in the squad. The 33-year-old, who has 37 caps for Wales, last played Test rugby when he guided Wales to a historic 40-6 World Cup win against Australia in September 2023.
Max Llewellyn, Tom Rogers, Nicky Smith have also been recalled to the international set-up, after periods of time away from the squad. Scrum-half Rhodri Williams has also returned, after more than ten years since his last Wales cap.
Gatland said: “The coaches and I can’t wait to get started for this Autumn Nations Series and having the players back in camp next Monday to begin preparations for our first game against Fiji.
“We feel this is an exciting squad with some experience coming back to join the younger players. We know they are going to work incredibly hard as a group this November.
“We have three very different opposition in Fiji, Australia and South Africa, but are looking forward to the challenges that each will pose.
Commenting on naming Dewi Lake - who joined us for a Coffee Date earlier this year - as captain for the 2024 Autumn Nations Series, Gatland added: “I thought Dewi did a really good job with the captaincy over the summer, so we’ve decided for him to continue in the role this autumn.”
After their opener against Fiji, Gatland’s men will play their second game against a resurgent Australia on Sunday 17th November.
Wales’ hardest test comes last as they welcome reigning Rugby World Cup champions South Africa to the Principality Stadium on Saturday 23rd November. This fixture will help mark the stadium's 25th anniversary, having opened in the summer of 1999 with a win against the same opponents.
Wales squad 2024 Autumn Nations Series
Forwards (19)
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 7 caps) Adam Beard (Ospreys – 56 caps) James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 13 caps) Ben Carter (Dragons – 12 caps) Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 41 caps) Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby – 3 caps) Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 15 caps) Captain Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps) Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets – 4 caps) Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 15 caps) Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 5 caps) Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 20 caps) Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 33 caps) Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 46 caps) Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 33 caps) Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby – uncapped) Henry Thomas (Scarlets – 4 caps) Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 12 caps) Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 50 caps)
Backs (16)
Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester Rugby – 37 caps) Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby – 3 caps) Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 15 caps) Rio Dyer (Dragons – 22 caps) Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby – 14 caps) Josh Hathaway (Gloucester Rugby – 1 cap) Eddie James (Scarlets – 1 cap) Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby – 1 cap) Blair Murray (Scarlets – uncapped) Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 4 caps) Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 4 caps) Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 38 caps) Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 41 caps) Rhodri Williams (Dragons – 3 caps) Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 58 caps) Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby – 7 caps)
