Lane likely to be only new face in Wales squad

OWEN Lane looks set to be named in Warren Gatland’s Wales squad for the November tests this week.

The 20-year-old wing scored two tries as Cardiff Blues saw off the Dragons in last weekend’s derby and has been closely monitored by Gatland this season.

Wales’ opening Autumn international with Scotland on November 3 falls outside World Rugby’s designated Test window and means Premiership-based widemen Liam Williams and Josh Adams won’t be available to take on Gregor Townsend’s side.

With Hallam Amos out injured and Steffan Evans struggling for form, Gatland has limited options.

Lane is poised to be the only uncapped player picked by Gatland and his selection would cap a meteoric rise for a man who took his first steps into fulltime senior rugby only last season..

Blues head coach John Mulvihill said: “I think he will be named in that group on Tuesday. He was unlucky to miss out last year and he probably would have toured with Wales in the summer but he broke his arm in the Challenge Cup final in Bilbao.

“He was in the 60-man meeting and we are pretty sure he’ll be in the 38.

“He’s played really well over the last three games in front of the selectors.

“Both Owen and Jason Harries have been consistent as our starting wings this season. He played age grade rugby at centre but if he’s going to play international rugby it will be on the wing where he is quite confident in what he does.

“Through an injury to Blaine Scully he got his chance and he’s been excellent for us.”

Wasps flanker Thomas Young is also in contention despite limited game time with Gatland keen to look at a range of options in the matches against Scotland, Australia, Tonga and South Africa.