Sawt Falasteen - Rees-Zammit back for Wales as Tandy names first squad

The British and Irish Lions winger, who won the last of his 32 caps at the 2023 World Cup, made the switch to American Football in January 2024.

The 24-year-old Bristol player joined the Kansas City Chiefs and then the Jacksonville Jaguars, but did not play a competitive game in the NFL.

His inclusion is a boost for Tandy as he named his squad for November Tests on successive weekends against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and world champions South Africa.

"It's been really exciting going through the whole process and realising how many good players we've got," said Tandy, who left his role as Scotland defence coach - a position he had held since 2019 - to fill a vacancy created by Warren Gatland's departure in February.

"There's a really good mix of some young guys coming in, mixed with some experience as well.

"But the overall feeling is really exciting and I can't wait to get the boys into camp on Monday."

Jac Morgan will captain the squad for the campaign, having been on tour with the British and Irish Lions this summer in Australia.

Fellow Lion Tomos Williams is also selected for Wales this autumn.

Second rows Adam Beard and Dafydd Jenkins return having missed the two-Test series in Japan in the summer due to being given a break and elective surgery respectively.

The squad of 22 forwards and 17 backs contains five uncapped players: Dragons hooker Brodie Coghlan, Cardiff prop Danny Southworth, lock James Fender and back row forward Morgan Morse from the Ospreys and Bath centre Louie Hennessey.

Saracens prop Rhys Carre is included following confirmation by the Welsh Professional Rugby Board that he is eligible for selection despite playing in the English Prem competition and being five caps short of the 25 required for those playing for clubs outside Wales.

Wales squad

Forwards (22): Keiron Assiratti, Adam Beard, Liam Belcher, Rhys Carre, Ben Carter, Brodie Coghlan, Christian Coleman, Rhys Davies, Taulupe Faletau, James Fender, Archie Griffin, Dafydd Jenkins, Dewi Lake, Alex Mann, Jac Morgan (capt), Morgan Morse, Taine Plumtree, Nicky Smith, Danny Southworth, Gareth Thomas, Freddie Thomas, Aaron Wainwright

Backs (17): Josh Adams, Jacob Beetham, Rio Dyer, Dan Edwards, Jarrod Evans, Kieran Hardy, Joe Hawkins, Louie Hennessey, Max Llewellyn, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Blair Murray, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tom Rogers, Callum Sheedy, Ben Thomas, Nick Tompkins, Tomos Williams

U.AlSharif--SF-PST