Gatland Includes Former England Prop Thomas in World Cup Warm-Up Squad

 

Wales coach Warren Gatland has announced a 43-man squad for the pre-Rugby World Cup warm-up matches next month, featuring nine players who have not previously represented their country. Among the new names is former England prop Henry Thomas.

Gatland has been forced to reconsider his pack options due to the retirement of experienced players, including lock Alun Wyn Jones and loose-forward Justin Tipuric. In the upcoming warm-up games, Wales will face England on August 5 and August 12, followed by a fixture against South Africa a week later, where several of the uncapped players may get their chance to shine.

Notable exclusions from the squad are number eight Taulupe Faletau, Owen Williams, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams, and Alex Cuthbert. However, they are still part of Gatland's plans for the World Cup, as confirmed by a media release from Welsh Rugby.

One of the new additions to the squad is 31-year-old Henry Thomas, who earned seven caps for England during the 2013-14 season but is eligible to play for Wales through his father. Thomas is taking advantage of the World Rugby eligibility rule that previously allowed Jean Kleyn to represent South Africa after playing for Ireland.

Gatland's front row options also include uncapped props Corey Domachowski, Keiron Assiratti, and Kemsley Mathias. Other uncapped players in the squad are versatile back row forward Teddy Williams and former New Zealand junior international flanker Taine Plumtree.

Among the new backs are centres Keiran Williams and Max Llewellyn, the latter being the son of former Wales lock Gareth Llewellyn, who held the team record for the most international caps at one stage with 92. Also noteworthy are fullback Cai Evans, son of another former Wales international, Ieuan Evans.

The full Wales squad for the warm-up matches is as follows:

Forwards: Corey Domachowski, Kemsley Mathias, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias, Dewi Lake, Sam Parry, Keiron Assiratti, Tomas Francis, Dillon Lewis, Henry Thomas, Adam Beard, Ben Carter, Rhys Davies, Dafydd Jenkins, Will Rowlands, Christ Tshiunza, Teddy Williams, Taine Basham, Dan Lydiate, Jac Morgan, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright

Backs: Gareth Davies, Kieran Hardy, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Dan Biggar, Sam Costelow, Mason Grady, Max Llewellyn, George North, Nick Tompkins, Keiran Williams, Josh Adams, Rio Dyer, Cai Evans, Leigh Halfpenny, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tom Rogers, Liam Williams.