Who are the likely lads for this autumn?

THERE are just under two months until Steve Tandy’s first Test match in charge of Wales against Argentina at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, November 9.

- STEFFAN THOMAS

Much of selection will be based on form from the opening rounds of the United Rugby Championship and English Premiership. But the reality is the majority of the same players selected by Warren Gatland and Matt Sherratt will be included, injury permitting, due to the shallow talent pool in Wales.

However, as with any new coaching team there are bound to be some changes in personnel while there are players who have returned from injury or in Louis Rees-Zammit’s case, another sport, up for selection.

‘There are also one or two young players, such as Morgan Morse, whose time has surely arrived.

Here are the likely options Tandy may well look to call up and who he is likely to select in the starting XV.

Fullback

Blair Murray was one of the only bright sparks in an otherwise disastrous season for Wales in 2024/25.

‘The 23-year-old arrived in Llanelli from New Zealand last summer and made such an impact in the first block of fixtures for the Scarlets he immediately made the Wales squad.

Murray impressed both on the wing and fullback with his electric footwork, finishing prowess, pace and rugby intelligence becoming a huge asset to club and country.

On the odd occasion he has been found wanting in the air due to a lack of height but the positives far outweigh the negatives and Murray surely has to be the front runner to retain the number 15 shirt.

Other candidates are Cam Winnett who returned to the international fold for the summer tour of Japan after getting left out of the Six Nations squad, while selecting Rees-Zammit at fullback isn’t completely out of the question.

Murray's Scarlets teammate Tom Rogers can also play there while exciting Dragons fullback Huw Anderson and _ Cardiff's Jacob Beetham are other options.

Il Likely selection: Blair Murray

Wingers