Wales team: Warren Gatland hands New Zealand-born flyer his debut as clash with ‘dangerous’ Fiji awaits
Blair Murray will make his debut for Wales on Sunday.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has handed Blair Murray his Test debut in their Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji at the Principality Stadium on Sunday.
Murray, who has been in impressive form for Scarlets this season, is set to become the 1,208th men’s international for Wales when he runs out for this fixture.
The 23-year-old is joined in the back three by wing Mason Grady and full-back Cameron Winnett as Gatland’s men looks to claim a much-needed Test victory.
Elsewhere in the backline the midfield sees Cardiff’s Ben Thomas joined by in-form Gloucester outside centre Max Llewellyn, who has been scoring tries for fun.
Williams-Anscombe pairing
Another Gloucester player, Tomos Williams, starts at scrum-half having missed the mid-year tour to Australia due to injury. He partners up with Gareth Anscombe in the half-backs as the fly-half makes his first Wales appearance since Rugby World Cup 2023.
In the pack captain Dewi Lake is at hooker alongside loosehead prop Gareth Thomas and tighthead Archie Griffin while Adam Beard and Will Rowlands are the locks.
Taine Plumtree is selected on the blindside flanker, Tommy Reffell is at openside and Aaron Wainwright completes the back-row at number eight in a strong trio.
There is a six-two split among the Wales replacements. Ryan Elias (hooker), Nicky Smith (loosehead prop) and Keiron Assiratti (tighthead prop) are the front-row cover, with Christ Tshiunza, James Botham and Jac Morgan the other forward replacements.
Ellis Bevan and Sam Costelow are Wales’ replacement backs.
Gatland said: “We have excellent competition in the squad, so it was a tough selection and there were some close calls but I think there’s a really nice balance for Sunday. We have some experienced players back alongside some exciting youngsters.
“We know how dangerous Fiji can be, so we’ve got to make sure that we bring physicality and are ruthless on Sunday. We need to be switched on for the full 80 minutes.
“After four matches away from home, we cannot wait to get back out in front of a home crowd at Principality Stadium. It’s going to be a fantastic occasion and we’re looking forward to getting our Autumn Nations Series campaign underway.”
In addition, former international match official Nigel Owens, whose Test career spanned 17 years and 210 matches in total including 100 as referee, will join the Wales coaching staff on match days for the Autumn Nations Series in an advisory role.
Wales team to face Fiji
Wales: 15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Mason Grady, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Blair Murray, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Archie Griffin, 2 Dewi Lake (c), 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Christ Tshiunza, 20 James Botham, 21 Jac Morgan, 22 Ellis Bevan, 23 Sam Costelow
Date: Sunday, November 10
Venue: Principality Stadium
Kick-off: 13:40 GMT
Referee: Luc Ramos (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Pierre Brousset (FFR), Hollie Davidson (SRU)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
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