By Graham Thomas
Warren Gatland has turned to a couple of new faces from outside of Wales in a bid to turn the tide in results this autumn.
Gloucester second-row Freddie Thomas and Scarlets wing Blair Murray are the uncapped pair drafted in by Gatland for the November Tests.
Thomas was born in the West Country whilst Murray is a New Zealander, but both qualify for Wales through their grandparents and in Murray’s case, his mother as well.
The pair are now in line to make their debuts for Wales next month as Gatland attempts to avoid stretching his current winless streak into double figures.
Thomas and Murray are part of a 35-man squad – captained by Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake – due to play games against Fiji, Australia and South Africa in next month’s Autumn Nations Series.
Dragons scrum-half Rhodri Williams, who has not played for Wales since 2014, is recalled along with the likes of Leicester prop Nicky Smith, Gloucester backs Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn, plus Scarlets back Tom Rogers.
Here is your 3️⃣5️⃣-man squad for our @autumnnations campaign next month ⤵️
— Welsh Rugby Union (@WelshRugbyUnion) October 21, 2024
Adam Beard, Ryan Elias, Jac Morgan, Will Rowlands, Henry Thomas and Tomos Williams return to the squad having missed the Tests in Australia due to injury or being rested.
Injury absentees, meanwhile, include wing Josh Adams, lock Dafydd Jenkins, hooker Elliot Dee and No.8 Taulupe Faletau.
Talking about his uncapped pair of Thomas and Murray, Gatland said: “I think both of them have made an impact over the last number of weeks.
“The try Blair finished for the Scarlets on the weekend was excellent. He’s quick. He’s come through the New Zealand rugby system, through the pathway in terms of the U20s and stuff.
“He can cover a number of positions at 10 and 15. H gives us a left-foot option as well.
“Freddie’s still young. He’s been playing in the second-row but can cover back-row as well. We think his performances for Gloucester have been really good.
Murray is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his new housemate Taine Plumtree by winning his first Welsh cap only a few months after arriving in the land of his mother.
Wales’ uncapped call-ups:
Freddie Thomas
-22
-Gloucester Rugby
-LockBlair Murray
-23
-Scarlets
-Winger pic.twitter.com/RUOpSY0O1T— Dylan James (@dylan_journo) October 21, 2024
Kiwi born and bred, Murray followed Plumtree to the Scarlets this season and caught the eye of Wales head coach Gatland with a try-scoring performance in last weekend’s United Rugby Championship win over the Bulls.
The 23-year-old has been playing on the wing for the Scarlets, but is equally at home at full back. He came to Wales in June and is now in line to win a first cap.
The other new name in the squad is Gloucester lock Thomas, who joins clubmates Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn in a squad looking to end a run of nine straight international defeats.
“I’d love to do something similar to Taine. One of the main reasons I came over here was to try to make the Wales squad,” admitted Murray.
Warren Gatland discusses the call-up for Gloucester’s Freddie Thomas and return of Gareth Anscombe as he selects five Cherry and Whites players https://t.co/XHWtUCED92
— John Evely (@JohnEvely_BPost) October 21, 2024
“My mother was born in Tonyrefail and went to New Zealand after she met my dad. It hasn’t been too much of a culture shock for me coming over from New Zealand because the people are reasonably similar to back home.
“The only thing majorly different things are the buildings. The housing is quite different, but other than that it’s quite the same which has made the move a lot easier.
“The boys have been great, very much like back home, and everyone gets around each other and it is a real family environment. Everyone helps each other out.
Back on international duties
Gareth Anscombe makes his return having been named in Wales’ 35-player squad for the Autumn Nations Series pic.twitter.com/0zoNiXShxP
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) October 21, 2024
“I want to make the most of being at the Scarlets and taking my opportunities. I’d say my point of difference is my speed and agility.
“My favourite position is full back but at the moment my main opportunity is on the wing, and I’ll take what I can get.”
An admirer of Welsh legend Leigh Halfpenny, his favourite player growing up was New Zealand world Cup winner Ben Smith, who was equally at home at wing or full back.
Plumtree was born in Swansea when his father, John, was coaching there, but was raised in New Zealand.
He played for New Zealand U20 against Wales before taking up an offer to come to the land of his birth in 2023.
He won the first of his five caps to date six weeks after arriving and is now being lined-up to take over from Faletau at No 8.
Faletau is once again missing due to injury, as are Exeter Chiefs lock Jenkins and Cardiff wing Adams.
