Did they passTest in rookies have rated so far
THERE was a real buzz of excitement when Warren Gatland named his 36-strong squad for the autumn internationals with a sprinkling of Welsh young guns firing on all cylinders.
Now three games in and one to go against South Africa on Saturday how has Gatland’s rookies fared playing in the Cardiff cauldron for the first time?
We give you the autumn report on the new boys with marks out of 10. SAM CROSS Provided more raised eyebrows than a Roger Moore-lookalike contest when the Olympic silver medallist at sevens was called up for the Wales 15-a-side squad after just one game for the Ospreys.
Got game time in the opening Test against Australia and more in the narrow win over Georgia, but hasn’t really ripped up any saplings.
Only lasted until the end of the first half against Georgia after taking a knock to the ribs. One glaring missed tackle but looked for work. Rating: 4/10 WYN JONES The young Scarlets loosehead was first capped on Wales’ summer tour that took in Tests against Samoa and Tonga.
Got his first taste of Principality Stadium action off the bench against Georgia when the Welsh scrum was under the cosh during the latter stages.
But the 25-year-old acquitted himself well while chaos reigned across on the tighthead with Tomas Francis’ yellow card and Leon Brown cramping up, that led to a passive set-piece.
Made it four caps for Wales with more action off the bench against the All Blacks. Rating: 6/10 ELLIOT DEE The Dragons hooker has hit his straps with the Rodney Parade region this term and rightly rewarded with an autumn call-up from Wales.
Got his first taste of Test action coming off the bench for Kristian Dacey after 67 minutes against Georgia was his ebullient self as the visitors applied the set-piece thumbscrews. Rating: 5/10 ADAM BEARD The 21-year-old Ospreys lock made his Test bow in the searing heat and humidity of Apia, Samoa in June and added to his one cap with a start against the Georgians.
Beard may have seen Seb Davies grabbing much of the second row limelight at the Blues but the Swansea product is another bright hope for the future and put in a double-figure tackle count this month without really imposing himself on the game. Rating: 5/10 JOSH NAVIDI Brought into the autumn squad out of necessity with Wales down to their bare bones in the back-row department.
First capped against Japan in 2013 but Australia this autumn was his first Test match at the Principality Stadium and the Blues grafter hasn’t let his country down. In fact he’s been the Welsh find of the autumn impressing against Australia and carrying the fight to New Zealand last weekend.
Given the Welsh coaching team the most welcome of selection headaches when the likes of Ross Moriarty, Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric are back fighting fit. Rating: 8/10 OWEN WILLIAMS You really wonder why Wales have ignored him for so long after putting in solid performances week-in week-out for the Leicester Tigers before making a move to Aviva Premiership rivals Gloucester in the summer.
First capped against Tonga in June and played in the playmaker No.12 jersey against Australia and New Zealand this autumn.
Linked smartly with Dan Biggar to help set up first Welsh try against the Wallabies and tackled resolutely against the heavy-duty centres who thundered his way.
Looked comfortable on the ball against the All Blacks and worked sweetly with Biggar as the pair frequently swapped roles the No.10 and 12 roles in midfield to create chances.
Only blemish came when the defence was bamboozled for Rieko Ioane’s second try. Rating: 7/10