Sam Davies And Rory Thornton Handed Wales Places

Sam Davies and Rory Thornton have been given Wales calls for the first time after being named in the squad for the November Tests.

Interim coach Rob Howley has included the Opreys pair in a 35-man group to face Australia, Argentina, Japan and South Africa next month.

Sam Warburton and Taulupe Faletau have also been included, despite doubts over their fitness, while there are also returns for Lions Alex Cuthbert, Leigh Halfpenny and Dan Lydiate.

Cardiff Blues prop duo Rhys Gill and Scott Andrews also return to the squad along with Ospreys loose-head Nicky Smith and No. 8 Dan Baker.

Davies’s selection is a reward for his impressive form this season as he takes the outside-half slot previously given to Bath’s Rhys Priestland. Dan Biggar and Gareth Anscombe have retained their places.

Thornton joins the four established second rows – Bradley Davies and Alun Wyn Jones along with Luke Charteris and Jake Ball.

Howley said: “It is great to give the opportunity to players who are playing well for their clubs with the likes of Nicky Smith, Rhys Gill, Rory Thornton and Sam Davies coming into the squad.  In addition it’s great to be able to welcome back experienced players such as Dan Lydiate, Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny, who have missed out recently with injury and that experience will be important this autumn.

“Taulupe is still in his rehab process and has been working closely with Bath.  We hope he will be available in the later part of the campaign, but his
experience will be vitally important to have around the squad.

“We know we have to start the campaign strong and have to replicate the accuracy and intensity our opponents will bring to Cardiff.  We need to build on what we did in New Zealand and take it up another level for that opening match against Australia.”

In the pack Gethin Jenkins, Tomas Francis and Samson Lee join the three props already named with Scott Baldwin, Kristian Dacey and Ken Owens completing the front-row contingent.

Gareth Davies, Rhys Webb and Lloyd Williams join are named as the three scrum-halfs in the squad with Gareth Anscome and Dan Biggar joining uncapped the Davies. The centres comprise of, Jonathan Davies, Tyler Morgan, Jamie Roberts and Scott Williams. Hallam Amos, George North and Liam Williams link up with the returning Cuthbert and Halfpenny across the back three.

WALES 2016 UNDER ARMOUR SERIES SQUAD
Prop
Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues) (12 Caps)
Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (14 Caps)
Rhys Gill (Cardiff Blues) (6 Caps)
Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) (126 Caps)
Samson Lee (Scarlets) (28 Caps)
Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (3 Caps)

Hooker
Scott Baldwin (Ospreys) (24 Caps)
Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues) (3 Caps)
Ken Owens (Scarlets) (42 Caps)

Second Row
Jake Ball (Scarlets) (20 Caps)
Luke Charteris (Bath Rugby) (68 Caps)
Bradley Davies (Ospreys) (56 Caps)
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (102 Caps)
Rory Thornton (Ospreys) (UNCAPPED)

Back Row
Dan Baker (Ospreys) (3 Caps)
Taulupe Faletau* (Bath Rugby) (61 Caps)
James King (Ospreys) (8 Caps)
Dan Lydiate (Ospreys) (57 Caps)
Ross Moriarty (Gloucester) (9 Caps)
Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (43 Caps)
Sam Warburton (CAPT) (Cardiff Blues) (67 Caps)

Scrum Half
Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (17 Caps)
Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (22 Caps)
Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues) (27 Caps)

Fly Half
Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) (8 Caps)
Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (48 Caps)
Sam Davies (Ospreys) (UNCAPPED)

Centre
Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (56 Caps)
Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons) (3 Caps)
Jamie Roberts* (Harlequins) (83 Caps)
Scott Williams (Scarlets) (38 Caps)

Wing/Full Back
Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons) (10 Caps)
Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues) (42 Caps)
Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon) (62 Caps)
George North* (Northampton Saints) (62 Caps)
Liam Williams (Scarlets) (35 Caps)

* Denotes Senior Player Selection Policy wildcard selection.

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