Wales v Australia team announcement as Gatland makes big call at fly-half

Warren Gatland has handed Ben Thomas the keys to the fly-half jersey ahead of Wales’ first Test against Australia in Sydney.

The 25-year-old will be the sixth player to wear the famous jersey since Gatland returned to the role in late 2022, despite the fact he’s played virtually all of his rugby at inside centre for Cardiff this year.

Thomas’ first start for Wales will just his second start in the fly-half jersey all season – having started at 10 against the Sharks late in the season. In fact, of his 85 senior matches for club and country so far, Thomas has started just four in the position to date – with three of those coming back in 2021.

He’ll line up alongside Cardiff team-mates Ellis Bevan and Mason Grady, with the scrum-half and centre retaining their places from the defeat to South Africa. Similarly to Thomas, the position of inside centre is a relatively unfamiliar one to Grady.

Elsewhere in the team, Gloucester wing Josh Hathaway has been handed a debut on the wing after a breakthrough season in the Gallagher Premiership, with Cameron Winnett dropping out of the side after six consecutive Test matches at full-back.

In the pack, Sydney-born Bath’s tighthead Archie Griffin is handed his first start for his country, lining up alongside Gareth Thomas – one of three Welsh starters remaining from last year’s 40-6 win over the Wallabies in Lyon – and tour captain Dewi Lake.

Exeter duo Christ Tshiunza and Dafydd Jenkins reform their U20s second-row partnership – with the former making his first Wales appearance since last year’s World Cup.

Leicester Tigers openside Tommy Reffell comes into the side ahead of James Botham after being unavailable for the clash at Twickenham, packing down with Taine Plumtree and Aaron Wainwright – with the latter winning his 50th cap.

On the bench, Gatland retains the inexperienced front-row cover of Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias and Harri O’Connor for the third Test match in a row, while Cory Hill is named as a replacement – setting him up for his first cap since the 2021 Six Nations.

Scarlets fly-half Sam Costelow moves to the bench after the 41-13 defeat to the Springboks, providing backline cover alongside scrum-half Kieran Hardy and centre Nick Tompkins.

Speaking after the team was announced, Gatland said: “We’ve had a good week of preparations here in Sydney and are excited to get out on field on Saturday.

“This first Test is going to be a great challenge for us. Test matches are all about fine margins and we know we need to be accurate, keep our discipline and stay in the fight for the full 80 minutes.

“There’s a lot of talent within the Australia squad and we know they will want to come out firing and put in a performance against us this weekend.”

Wales: Liam Williams; Josh Hathaway, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady, Rio Dyer; Ben Thomas, Ellis Bevan; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Archie Griffin, Christ Tshiunza, Dafydd Jenkins, Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Harri O’Connor, Cory Hill, James Botham, Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow, Nick Tompkins.

Wallabies: Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright (c), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Jeremy Williams, Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, James Slipper

Replacements: Billy Pollard, Isaac Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Blyth, Charlie Cale, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch

SIGN UP: Get the new exclusive Inside Welsh rugby newsletter for full insight into what’s really going on around all the big issues. This special offer will get you full access for the entire year for just £10 instead of £40.

Updates Available