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Steve Tandy names ultra-raw 30-man Wales squad for Boks
By Ian Cameron
Wales have confirmed a 30-player training squad for their final Quilter Nations Series fixture against South Africa on 29 November, and it is as light on experience as anything the union has assembled in the professional era.
With 13 frontline exiles unavailable for this out-of-window Test, Steve Tandy is left with a group in which more than half the players have fewer than 10 caps.
Twenty players are sitting on single-digit caps, with four uncapped forwards and another batch of players who have only tasted a handful of Test rugby contests.
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“We’re excited for our final match of the Quilter Nations Series on Saturday and looking to further build on our performance this weekend,” said Tandy in a short statement.
Aaron Wainwright (a late withdrawal from the team that lost 52-26 to New Zealand), Gareth Thomas and Dewi Lake are the only forwards with anything resembling heavyweight Test experience.
The second-row and tight-five depth is particularly raw: three uncapped players and two others who have a combined four caps between them.
In the backline, Kieran Hardy and Rio Dyer have the most miles on the clock, while much of the remaining back division is made up of players still learning the ropes in Test rugby.
The Springboks will also be missing individuals due to Japanese and URC obligations, but the champions operate with a depth chart that Wales can only dream of.
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)
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