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Six Blue & Blacks named in Wales squad

First Team News | 8th November 2024


Six Cardiff Rugby stars have been named in the Wales squad to face Fiji in the opening match of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series.

Back-line trio Ben Thomas, Mason Grady and Cameron Winnett all start  at the Principality Stadium on Sunday, with Scarlets wing Blair Murray winning his first cap. 

Fellow Blue & Blacks Keiron Assiratti, James Botham and Ellis Bevan are all included on the bench. 

In total there are nine Cardiff products in the match-day 23 and nine to have played first team fixtures for the club

Gatland said: “We have excellent competition in the squad, so it was a tough selection and there were some close calls but I think there’s a really nice balance for Sunday. We have some experienced players back alongside some exciting youngsters.

"We know how dangerous Fiji can be, so we’ve got to make sure that we bring physicality and are ruthless on Sunday. We need to be switched on for the full 80 minutes.

“After four matches away from home, we cannot wait to get back out in front of a home crowd at Principality Stadium. It’s going to be a fantastic occasion and we’re looking forward to getting our Autumn Nations Series campaign underway.”

In addition, former international match official Nigel Owens, whose Test career spanned 17 years and 210 matches in total including 100 as referee, will join the Wales coaching staff on match days for the Autumn Nations Series in an advisory role.

Wales team to face Fiji | Tîm Cymru i wynebu Fiji

15. Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 7 caps)
14. Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 14 caps)
13. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 2 caps)
12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 4 caps)
11. Blair Murray (Scarlets – uncapped / heb gap)
10. Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 37 caps)
9.  Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 58 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys / Gweilch – 33 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys / Gweilch – 15 caps) captain / capten
3. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby / Caerfaddon – 3 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 33 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Ospreys / Gweilch – 56 caps)
6. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 5 caps)
7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 20 caps)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons / Dreigiau – 50 caps)

Replacements / Eilyddion

16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 41 caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 46 caps)
18. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 7 caps)
19. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 12 caps)
20. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 13 caps)
21. Jac Morgan (Ospreys / Gweilch – 15 caps)
22. Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 3 caps)
23. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 15 caps)