Tshiunza named in Wales squad

By Mark Stevens
18/10/22

Christ Tshiunza's impressive start to the 2022/23 season has been rewarded with a call-up into Wayne Pivac's 35-player Wales squad for the 2022 Autumn Nations Series.

The 20-year-old forward has helped play a lead role for the Chiefs so far in the Gallagher Premiership, featuring in the wins over Leicester Tigers, Worcester Warriors, Harlequins and Bristol Bears.

Tshiunza returns to the Welsh squad for the first time since injuring his hamstring whilst in camp last February. That injury ruled him out of last season's Six Nations Championship, not long after he made his Test debut.

He did, however, feature for Wales Under-20s during the summer, helping them to reach the final of the U20 Summer Series in July.

Elsewhere, Leigh Halfpenny, Ken Owens and Justin Tipuric are back for international duty more than a year after they last appeared for their country.

Other familiar faces returning are Jac Morgan (Ospreys) and Rhys Priestland (Cardiff Rugby) who were last called up for the 2022 Guinness Six Nations; loosehead props Rhodri Jones (Dragons) and Nicky Smith (Ospreys) who feature for the first time since the summer 2021.

There are five uncapped players selected. After helping Wales reach the final of the U20 Summer Series in July alongside Tshiunza, Joe Hawkins (Ospreys) receives his first senior international call up.

Also named in the Wales men’s squad for the first time are Rio Dyer (Dragons) as well as Dane Blacker and Sam Costelow (both Scarlets). Josh Macleod is also included after previously being selected in the 2020 Autumn Nations Series and 2021 Guinness Six Nations squads.

Pivac said: “It’s great to have Ken, Justin and Leigh back after long-term injuries. 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.”

Talking about the uncapped players in the squad, Pivac added: “There’s a lot of young players we’ve been keeping an eye on for a number of years through the age group system and now playing club rugby. There’s a view of the here and now in this squad but also beyond Rugby World Cup 2023 to the tournament in 2027, so there’s some young guys getting the opportunity to taste the camp environment. They may or may not get game time, but it will be a great experience for them.

“Dane Blacker has been playing well at nine for the Scarlets. We know a lot about Gareth (Davies) it’s not the end of the road for Gareth, I’ve spoken to him. Sam Costelow is another young player at the Scarlets playing well and having come through the age grade system. Joe Hawkins is the same, he captained the U20s so he’s a player for the future. Rio Dyer came into camp ahead of the South Africa Test Series to help the squad prepare and performed well. He’s currently playing really well for the Dragons.

“Josh Macleod is an interesting one. He’s been selected in a couple of camps before. Unfortunately he was injured before coming in playing for the Scarlets, then we actually named him to play in a Six Nations game against Scotland and he ruptured his Achilles in training which was devastating for him. He’s a guy that’s been on our radar for some time and to get him into the squad and have another look at him, we’re excited for Josh.

WALES SQUAD FOR 2022 AUTUMN NATIONS SERIES

Forwards (20)

Rhodri Jones (Dragons – 21 caps)
Nicky Smith (Ospreys – 41 caps)
Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 13 caps)
Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 30 caps)
Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 8 caps)
Ken Owens (Scarlets – 87 caps)
Tomas Francis (Ospreys – 65 caps)
Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 41 caps)
Sam Wainwright (Saracens – 2 caps)
Adam Beard (Ospreys – 37 caps)
Ben Carter (Dragons Rugby – 6 caps)
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys 153 caps)
Will Rowlands (Dragons Rugby – 21 caps)
Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 91 caps)
Dan Lydiate (Ospreys – 68 caps)
Josh MacLeod (Scarlets – uncapped)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 3 caps)
Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 3 caps)
Justin Tipuric (Ospreys – 86 caps)
Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 2 caps)

Backs (15)

Dane Blacker (Scarlets – uncapped)
Kieran Hardy (Scarlets – 14 caps)
Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 36 caps)
Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys – 32 caps)
Sam Costelow (Scarlets – uncapped)
Rhys Priestland (Cardiff Rugby – 52 caps)
Joe Hawkins (Ospreys uncapped)
George North (Ospreys – 105 caps)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 23 caps)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 33 caps)
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 42 caps)
Alex Cuthbert (Ospreys – 52 caps)
Rio Dyer (Dragons Rugby – uncapped)
Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets – 96 caps)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 19 caps)

Players unavailable for selection due to injury: Taine Basham, Dan Biggar, Leon Brown, Seb Davies, Wyn Jones, Josh Navidi, Johnny Williams, Liam Williams

2022 AUTUMN NATIONS SERIES FIXTURES

All Live on Amazon Prime with Welsh and English language broadcasts

Saturday 5 November: Wales v New Zealand

Principality Stadium, KO 15:15 GMT

Saturday 12 November: Wales v Argentina

Principality Stadium, KO 17:30 GMT

Saturday 19 November: Wales v Georgia

Principality Stadium, KO 13:00 GMT

Saturday 26 November: Wales v Australia

Principality Stadium, KO 15:15 GMT