Wales squad: Steve Tandy names three uncapped players for November Nations Championship fixtures

Rhys Barratt, Che Hope and Aneurin Owen are included in the 39-player group for home Tests against Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

Steve Tandy has named three uncapped players in his Wales squad for November’s Nations Championship matches, with Taine Basham, Seb Davies and Rio Dyer also recalled.

Dewi Lake captains the group. Tommy Reffell, Taulupe Faletau and Olly Cracknell are not included.

Liam Belcher, Tomas Francis, Archie Griffin, Louie Hennessey and Dafydd Jenkins return after being unavailable in July.

Wales squad gives Hope and Owen an opportunity

Cardiff prop Barratt joins Dragons scrum-half Hope and centre Owen as the uncapped selections.

Owen’s inclusion follows a player-of-the-match performance against Perpignan. He was previously selected for a Wales squad under Wayne Pivac in 2021 but is still waiting for his first cap.

Hope adds another option at scrum-half, where Kieran Hardy’s knee injury had left Tandy with a decision behind Tomos Williams. Reuben Morgan-Williams is also selected.

The opportunity comes after Hope returned from a hamstring injury this season. Before the announcement, Dragons defence coach Dale MacLeod had urged patience with a player who had made 30 senior appearances.

Faletau’s omission follows his return for Cardiff against Northampton on Sunday, his first appearance since March. That comeback has not brought an immediate return to the national squad.

Full Wales squad for November

Forwards (22): Rhys Barratt*, Taine Basham, Adam Beard, Liam Belcher, James Botham, Rhys Carre, Ben Carter, Ryan Elias, Seb Davies, Tomas Francis, Archie Griffin, Kane James, Dafydd Jenkins, Dewi Lake (captain), Dillon Lewis, Alex Mann, Jac Morgan, Taine Plumtree, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Aaron Wainwright, Teddy Williams.

Backs (17): Josh Adams, Sam Costelow, Rio Dyer, Dan Edwards, Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Joe Hawkins, Louie Hennessey, Che Hope*, Eddie James, Max Llewellyn, Ellis Mee, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Blair Murray, Aneurin Owen*, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tom Rogers, Tomos Williams.

An asterisk denotes an uncapped player.

When do Wales play in November?

All three home matches take place at Principality Stadium. Times below are UK time.

Date	Fixture	Kick-off
Saturday 7 November	Wales v Japan	4.40pm
Saturday 14 November	Wales v New Zealand	2.10pm
Saturday 21 November	Wales v Australia	8.10pm

The announcement confirms live coverage on ITV and S4C.

New Zealand will be without winger Leroy Carter following ankle surgery.

The competition concludes with finals weekend at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, from 27–29 November. Wales’ opponent and match date will depend on the standings.