In a bold move, Wales head coach Warren Gatland has opted to stick with Dewi Lake as captain for the upcoming autumn internationals against Fiji, Australia, and South Africa. The 31-man squad, announced on Monday, sees the return of several experienced players alongside a handful of fresh faces.
Lake Leads the Charge
Dewi Lake, who previously captained Wales on their summer tour of Australia and served as co-captain during last year’s Rugby World Cup, has been entrusted with the leadership role once again. Gatland expressed his confidence in the young hooker, stating:
“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.”
– Warren Gatland
The decision comes despite the return of flanker Jac Morgan, who shared the captaincy with Lake at the World Cup. Morgan’s presence will undoubtedly bolster the Welsh pack, but Gatland seems keen to maintain continuity in leadership.
Experienced Players Return
The squad also welcomes back several seasoned campaigners who missed the Australia tour, including:
- Adam Beard
- Ryan Elias
- Will Rowlands
- Henry Thomas
- Tomos Williams
Perhaps the most intriguing inclusion is that of fly-half Gareth Anscombe. The 33-year-old hasn’t featured for Wales since their 40-6 victory over Australia in the 2023 Rugby World Cup. An injury sustained during the warm-up for their subsequent match against Georgia ruled him out for the remainder of the tournament and the entirety of the Six Nations and summer series.
New Blood
Gatland has also introduced two uncapped players into the fold. Lock Freddie Thomas, formerly of the England Under-20s, and Scarlets wing Blair Murray, an ex-New Zealand Schoolboys international, will be eager to make their mark on the international stage.
Another surprise selection sees scrum-half Rhodri Williams earn a recall after a decade away from the national team. The 31-year-old last represented Wales in 2014, but his form for the Dragons has clearly caught Gatland’s eye.
Breaking the Losing Streak
Wales find themselves in the midst of a nine-match losing run, their worst since 2012. A loss to Fiji in Cardiff on November 10 would equal their longest-ever sequence of defeats. Gatland, however, remains optimistic:
“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.”
– Warren Gatland
The Welsh faithful will be hoping that this blend of youth and experience can help turn the tide and restore pride to the red jersey. With tough tests against the Wallabies and Springboks also on the horizon, Lake and his men will need to hit the ground running.
The Road Ahead
While the autumn internationals offer a chance for redemption, they also serve as a crucial building block towards the 2024 Six Nations and beyond. Gatland, who returned for a second stint as Wales boss post-World Cup, will be acutely aware of the need to settle on his best XV and establish a clear gameplan.
The coming weeks will provide answers to a number of key questions. Can Lake grow into the captaincy role? Will Anscombe rediscover his pre-injury form? How will the new caps fare on the biggest stage? Amidst the challenges, Gatland’s squad selection hints at a man with a plan. Welsh fans will be hoping it’s a winning one.
