The Welsh national team has announced a group of 30 players for their concluding Autumn Nations Series match against South Africa scheduled for November 29th, showcasing a squad with limited experience, perhaps the least seasoned in the professional era.
Due to the unavailability of 13 key overseas-based players for this Test match outside the international window, the coaching staff is working with a selection where over half the team possesses fewer than 10 international appearances.
Specifically, twenty players have recorded single-digit cap numbers, incorporating four uncapped forwards alongside additional players who have participated in only a few Test matches.
“We are anticipating our final Quilter Nations Series match on Saturday and aiming to further enhance our showing from this past weekend,” the coaching staff stated in a brief announcement.
Among the forwards, Aaron Wainwright (who withdrew late from the team that faced New Zealand, resulting in a 52-26 loss), Gareth Thomas, and Dewi Lake are the only ones with substantial experience in Test rugby.
The team’s depth in the second row and tight-five positions is notably inexperienced, featuring three players yet to make their debut and two others with only four caps collectively.
In the backs, Kieran Hardy and Rio Dyer bring the most experience, while the remaining members of the back division consist largely of players still in the development phase of their Test rugby careers.
The Springboks will also be missing personnel due to commitments in Japanese and URC leagues, yet the reigning champions boast a roster depth that Wales can only aspire to.
Forwards (18)
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 18 caps)
Ben Carter (Dragons – 13 caps)
Brodie Coghlan (Dragons – 1 cap)
Christian Coleman (Dragons – 1 cap)
Rhys Davies (Ospreys – 3 caps)
Harri Deaves (Ospreys – 1 cap)
James Fender (Ospreys – uncapped)
Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 25 caps)
Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby – 8 caps)
Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby – 10 caps)
Morgan Morse (Ospreys – 1 cap)
Garyn Phillips (Ospreys – uncapped)
Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 10 caps)
James Ratti (Ospreys – 3 caps)
Danny Southworth (Cardiff Rugby – uncapped)
Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 43 caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 61 caps)
Ben Warren (Ospreys – uncapped)
Backs (12)
Jacob Beetham (Cardiff Rugby – 1 cap)
Rio Dyer (Dragons – 23 caps)
Dan Edwards (Ospreys – 6 caps)
Kieran Hardy (Ospreys – 27 caps)
Joe Hawkins (Scarlets – 6 caps)
Ellis Mee (Scarlets – 3 caps)
Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys – 1 cap)
Blair Murray (Scarlets – 13 caps)
Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 6 caps)
Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 13 caps)
Callum Sheedy (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)
Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)
