Nine Cardiff Rugby stars have been named in Steve Tandy’s first Wales squad ahead of the Quilter Nations Series.
Liam Belcher, Keiron Assiratti, Alex Mann, Taulupe Faletau, Ben Thomas and Josh Adams all remain in the squad following in the summer, while there are deserved recalls for Jacob Beetham and Callum Sheedy, the latter for the first time since 2021.
But the standout inclusion is for uncapped loosehead Danny Southworth, who is included in an international squad for the first time.
A mix of youth and experience
Tandy said: “It’s been really exciting going through the whole process and realising how many good players we’ve got. We’ve got to the decision of the selection, which we are really happy with. There’s a really good mix of some young guys coming in, mixed with some experience as well. But the overall feeling is really exciting and I can’t wait to get the boys into camp on Monday.
“When we come in Monday, obviously there’s new coaches, it’s a new time and there are some new faces in and around the playing group as well. So first and foremost, it’s about getting us connected and getting us nice and tight in around what we want to be through this Quilter Nations Series, getting clarity on our identity and our game model.”
On the captaincy Tandy added: “Jac was captain for the Six Nations and then Dewi did a brilliant job on the summer tour when Jac was with the Lions. I think we’ve got a couple of really good young leaders coming through, but I feel Jac he’s just an amazing player, an amazing human being and I feel he’s going to go from strength to strength as a captain for our nation and also been underpinned by some young leaders like Dewi and Daf Jenkins.”
Six former Cardiff pathway products are also included, namely Rhys Carré, Jarrod Evans, Louie Hennessey, Max Llewellyn, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tomos Williams.
Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa
Players will assemble in Wales camp on Monday 27 October to begin preparations for the Quilter Nations Series.
Wales kicks off its autumn campaign at 3.10pm on Sunday 9 November against Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-final opponents Argentina. Los Pumas will be making their thirteenth appearance in Cardiff having last played here in November 2022 when Wales won 20-13.
After that Wales play Japan, who hosted Wales in a two-Test series this summer, on Saturday 15 November, kick-off 5.40pm. It ended one win each in July with Wales taking victory in the second Test in Kobe. Now the Brave Blossoms make their first visit to Cardiff in nine years. They last played here in 2016 when Wales won 33-30.
Wales will then face New Zealand on Saturday 22 November, kick off 3.10pm. The All Blacks will be making the trip to Principality Stadium for the first time in three years.
In the final match of the 2025 Quilter Nations Series, Wales will play World Champions South Africa on Saturday 29 November, kick off 3.10pm to finish up a huge autumn.
Secure your tickets now via www.wru.wales/tickets
WALES SQUAD FOR 2025 QUILTER NATIONS SERIES
Forwards (22)
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 15 caps)
Adam Beard (Montpellier – 58 caps)
Liam Belcher (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 2 caps)
Rhys Carre (Saracens / Saraseniaid – 20 caps)
Ben Carter (Dragons / Dreigiau – 13 caps)
Brodie Coghlan (Dragons / Dreigiau – uncapped / heb gap)
Christian Coleman (Dragons / Dreigiau – 1 cap)
Rhys Davies (Ospreys / Gweilch – 3 caps)
Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 109 caps)
James Fender (Ospreys / Gweilch – uncapped / heb gap)
Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby / Caerfaddon – 8 caps)
Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 23 caps)
Dewi Lake (Ospreys / Gweilch – 22 caps)
Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 7 caps)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys / Gweilch – 23 caps)
Morgan Morse (Ospreys / Gweilch – uncapped / heb gap)
Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 8 caps)
Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 56 caps)
Danny Southworth (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – uncapped / heb gap)
Gareth Thomas (Ospreys / Gweilch – 42 caps)
Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 4 caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons / Dreigiau – 59 caps)
Backs (17)
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 63 caps)
Jacob Beetham (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 1 cap)
Rio Dyer (Dragons / Dreigiau – 23 caps)
Dan Edwards (Ospreys / Gweilch – 4 caps)
Jarrod Evans (Harlequins – 11 caps)
Kieran Hardy (Ospreys / Gweilch – 25 caps)
Joe Hawkins (Scarlets – 5 caps)
Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby / Caerfaddon – uncapped / heb gap)
Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 8 caps)
Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys / Gweilch – 1 cap)
Blair Murray (Scarlets – 10 caps)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears / Bryste – 32 caps)
Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 11 caps)
Callum Sheedy (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 16 caps)
Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 14 caps)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens / Saraseniaid – 41 caps)
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 64 caps)