‘Rejuvenated’ Priestland back in the fold for Wales

Wales boss Warren Gatland has welcomed a “rejuvenated” Rhys Priestland into his squad for this season’s autumn Tests.

But while the Bath standoff – who has not started a Wales game since the 2015 World Cup opener against Uruguay – returns, there are no places among a 36-man group for 93 times-capped centre Jamie Roberts, Scarlets midfielder Scott Williams or long-serving lock Luke Charteris.

There is a call-up for New Zealand-born Scarlets centre Hadleigh Parkes, even though he will not be eligible until the series finale against South Africa on 2 December, by which time he will have completed his residency qualification.

Parkes is joined by four other uncapped players in the squad: Ospreys centre Owen Watkin, his team-mate and flanker Sam Cross, who was part of the Great Britain rugby sevens squad at last year’s Rio Olympics, plus Dragons prop Leon Brown and hooker Elliot Dee.

England-based Priestland needed one of four “wild card” picks to represent Wales this season until the WRU last week changed its national player selection policy. “He looks calm and relaxed at the moment and playing with a lot of confidence,” Gatland said. “He has been rejuvenated.”

Wales kick off their autumn campaign against Australia on 11 November.