By Gareth James
Wales coach Warren Gatland has named uncapped Scarlets wing Blair Murray in his team for Sunday’s Autumn Nations Series opener against Fiji.
New Zealand-born Murray steps into the Test match arena after just six games for the Scarlets.
The 23-year-old, whose mother is from Tonyrefail in the Rhondda, has done enough to earn a starting place ahead of experienced Dragons wing Rio Dyer.
Dyer has been a regular starter during Gatland’s second spell as Wales head coach, including the last eight Tests, while Mason Grady moves from centre to fill the other wing berth.
Ben Thomas is now at inside centre following two fly-half appearances during Wales’ summer tour of Australia, with Gareth Anscombe reclaiming Wales’ number 10 shirt for the first time since last year’s World Cup.
The @WelshRugbyUnion side to take on @fijirugby this Sunday
Congratulations to @scarlets_rugby wing Blair Murray who is set to debut in the 11 jersey pic.twitter.com/qyr3zyFZkR
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) November 8, 2024
Anscombe, who was sidelined for several months by a groin injury, is joined in the back division by Gloucester team-mates Max Llewellyn and Tomos Williams, with Llewellyn chosen as Thomas’ midfield partner and Williams back at scrum-half.
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.”
Wales: Cameron Winnett; Mason Grady, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Blair Murray; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Taine Plumtree; Adam Beard, Will Rowlands; Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake (capt), Gareth Thomas
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Christ Tshiunza, James Botham, Jac Morgan, Ellis Bevan, Sam Costelow
