Last Updated: 18/10/22 12:35pm
Leigh Halfpenny is one of the three major returnees for Wales, alongside Ken Owens and Justin Tipuric
Back-row Justin Tipuric, hooker Ken Owens and full-back Leigh Halfpenny have all returned for Wales in their squad for the autumn internationals, each after missing more than a year of Test rugby.
Tipuric (shoulder), Owens (back) and Halfpenny (knee) make their returns as part of a 35-man squad picked by Wayne Pivac to face New Zealand, Argentina, Georgia and Australia next month in the Autumn Nations Series.
Five uncapped players are chosen by Pivac in Josh Macleod (Scarlets), Joe Hawkins (Ospreys), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Dane Blacker and Sam Costelow (both Scarlets).
Wales captain Dan Biggar has been ruled out of the matches due to knee injury.
“It’s great to have Ken, Justin and Leigh back after long-term injuries,” Pivac said on Tuesday after naming the squad,
“They are three great players who have served Wales very well. They are all British and Irish Lions so quality players.
“We’re excited to have them in the squad for obvious reasons. We have a number of young players in this squad so it will be great for them to rub shoulders with these experienced ones.”
More to follow…
Wales 35-man Autumn Nations Series squad
Forwards (20): Rhodri Jones, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Ryan Elias, Dewi Lake, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Dillon Lewis, Sam Wainwright, Adam Beard, Ben Carter, Alun Wyn Jones, Will Rowlands, Taulupe Faletau, Dan Lydiate, Josh MacLeod, Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, Justin Tipuric, Christ Tshiunza
Backs (15): Dane Blacker, Kieran Hardy, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Sam Costelow, Rhys Priestland, Joe Hawkins, George North, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams, Alex Cuthbert, Rio Dyer, Leigh Halfpenny, Louis Rees-Zammit
Players unavailable for selection due to injury: Taine Basham, Dan Biggar, Leon Brown, Seb Davies, Wyn Jones, Josh Navidi, Johnny Williams, Liam Williams
