By Steffan Thomas
Wales have pulled Callum Sheedy away from the clutches of England as Wayne Pivac selects seven uncapped players for their autumn campaign.
Cardiff born Sheedy, who also qualified for Ireland, has been pulling up trees for Bristol in the Gallagher Premiership and played for England in an uncapped game against the Barbarians last May.
But the 24-year-old has opted for the land of his birth and is also joined in the squad by his 19-year-old Bristol teammate Ioan Lloyd.
Scarlets centre Johnny Williams, who also played for England against the Barbarians, has thrown his lot in with Wales while scrum-half Kieran Hardy and Gloucester try scoring sensation Louis Rees-Zammit are the other uncapped backs.
Pivac also sprung a shock in the front-row with 28-year-old Ospreys hooker Sam Parry set to win his first cap and Scarlets’ turnover king Josh Macleod finally making the cut.
Elsewhere Wales welcome back tight-head props Tomas Francis and Samson Lee from injury lay-offs with Ospreys loosehead prop Nicky Smith getting the nod over Rob Evans. Jonathan Davies and Rhys Patchell return having not played test rugby since the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
There are a few notable absentees with recent squad members Elliott Dee, Adam Beard, Jarrod Evans, Ashton Hewitt and Steff Evans all missing out.
Wales will kick off their autumn fixtures with a friendly in Paris against France to prepare for their re-arranged Six Nations finale against Scotland at Parc y Scarlets.
▶️ “Here’s a potential opportunity to blood some new players and broaden the depth across the team,” says Wayne Pivac.
» Mae hyn yn gyfle gwych i’r chwaraewyr ifanc sy’ mewn am y tro gyntaf, meddai’r prif hyfforddwr.
🏴 #HWFN pic.twitter.com/oQ6M6pQdDb
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) October 6, 2020
Pivac’s squad will then take part in the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup, kicking the tournament off on Friday November 13th against Ireland in Dublin before fixtures against Georgia and England as well as the tournament’s play-off final on December 5th.
A bit of pressure has been lifted from Pivac’s shoulders with Wales’ spot as top seeds alongside world champions South Africa, England and New Zealand for the next World Cup having already been secured.
But after an indifferent Six Nations campaign the former Scarlets coach will want to step out of Warren Gatland’s shadow and stamp his authority over this Wales side.
Really pleased for Callum Sheedy. Have followed his career closely through St Peters RFC, Corpus Christi, Millfield and Bristol. A richly talented player and a really good lad. Well done.
— Simon Thomas (@simonrug) October 6, 2020
“We are looking forward to getting back to international rugby and getting the squad together again,” said Wales head coach Wayne Pivac.
“This campaign is hugely important looking to the future and long term to the RWC in 2023.
“We kick off the campaign with a game against France which will help prepare us for the re-arranged Six Nations match versus Scotland which is an important game and important we get a good performance from.
“We then go into the Autumn Nations Cup (ANC) which is an exciting tournament and a great opportunity for us. It is a chance for us to continue developing our game, give opportunities to players and test them at this level.
“It is ideal preparation for the all-important 2021 Six Nations which will come around quickly after the ANC.”