Wales recall Rees-Zammit for autumn Tests

Wales have brought back wing Louis Rees-Zammit for their autumn Tests, two years after he last represented his nation and transitioned from rugby union to American football.

Although he secured contracts with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars over an 18-month span, Rees-Zammit did not compete in a single NFL game.

The 24-year-old re-entered rugby in August by signing a season-long agreement with Bristol Bears, where he made a try-scoring debut in the Gallagher Premiership.

Wales’ roster for their four encounters in November also includes returns for Saracens prop Rhys Carre and Cardiff fly-half Callum Sheedy.

However, Cardiff’s rising teenage star Tom Bowen misses out on a first call-up, while seasoned Ospreys back row Ross Moriarty is not selected.

The squad of 39 features five uncapped players: Ospreys second row James Fender and back row Morgan Morse, Dragons hooker Brodie Coghlan, Cardiff prop Danny Southworth, and Bath centre Louie Hennessey.

British and Irish Lions flanker Jac Morgan is back to lead the 744-cap squad, which has an average age of 26.

Wales’ athletes will gather at their training facility on the outskirts of Cardiff on Monday, 27 October.

New head coach Steve Tandy will then kick off his term with a match against Argentina on Sunday, 9 November, followed by Tests against Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa.

These matches pose a challenging first task for former Scotland defence coach Tandy as he takes command of a Wales squad ranked 12th globally that recently ended an 18-match international losing streak with a victory over Japan in Kobe in July.

«It’s been truly exhilarating going through the entire process and realizing how many talented players we’ve got,» stated Tandy.

«There’s a really nice blend of young talents coming in, along with some seasoned players as well. The overall sentiment is quite thrilling, and I am eager to get the guys into camp on Monday.»

«This is a new period and there are several new faces around the playing group too.»

Carre has had a strong start to the season with Saracens, but he was ineligible according to Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) selection criteria due to having 20 caps, five short of the necessary number for those representing clubs outside of Wales.

However, in its announcement of the squad, the WRU indicated that Carre had been «included following confirmation by the Professional Rugby Board that he is eligible for Wales selection.»

Second rows Adam Beard and Dafydd Jenkins are back after missing the two-Test series in Japan during the summer due to a break and elective surgery, respectively.

There are also returns for Jacob Beetham, Rhys Davies, Rio Dyer, Jarrod Evans, Joe Hawkins, Max Llewellyn, and Nick Tompkins.

However, fellow lock Will Rowlands is not included after announcing his retirement from international rugby just before the squad was made public on Tuesday.

Forwards

Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Adam Beard (Montpellier), Liam Belcher (Cardiff), Rhys Carre (Saracens), Ben Carter (Dragons), Brodie Coghlan (Dragons), Christian Coleman (Dragons), Rhys Davies (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff), James Fender (Ospreys), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Alex Mann (Cardiff), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Morgan Morse (Ospreys), Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers), Danny Southworth (Cardiff), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Freddie Thomas (Gloucester), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).

Backs

Josh Adams (Cardiff), Jacob Beetham (Cardiff), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Jarrod Evans (Harlequins), Kieran Hardy (Ospreys), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets), Louie Hennessey (Bath), Max Llewellyn (Gloucester), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Callum Sheedy (Cardiff), Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Tomos Williams (Gloucester).

All times GMT and at Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Sunday, 9 November – Wales v Argentina (15:10)

Saturday, 15 November – Wales v Japan (17:40)

Saturday, 22 November – Wales v New Zealand (15:10)

*Saturday, 29 November – Wales v South Africa (15:10)

*Outside World Rugby’s autumn Test window