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Jonah Holmes: Leicester back included in Wales' autumn internationals squad

Jonah Holmes has made four appearances for Leicester Tigers this season, including a man-of-the-match display at Twickenham against Northampton Saints. Henry Browne/Getty Images

Warren Gatland has named uncapped Leicester Tigers back Jonah Holmes in his squad for Wales' upcoming autumn internationals.

Holmes, who was born in Stockport, England but qualifies for Wales through his grandparents, joined Leicester in 2017 following spells at London Scottish, London Welsh and Wasps. He scored 11 tries in his first 10 appearances for the Tigers and has made a further four appearances this season.

Ospreys winger Luke Morgan, who is Wales Sevens' all-time points scorer, is the only other uncapped player to be the named in the 37-man squad for the November fixtures against Scotland, Australia, Tonga and South Africa.

Alun Wyn Jones returns to captain the side after missing Wales' summer tour of the U.S. and Argentina, alongside Dan Biggar, Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams.

As expected, Bath's Taulupe Faletau is not in the squad after breaking his arm earlier this month while there is also no place for Cardiff Blues' Josh Navidi due to injury.

Seb Davies, Aaron Shingler, James Davies, Scott Williams, Hallam Amos and Owen Lane are players not included by Gatland because of injury.

"The two uncapped players in Luke and Jonah are both form, back-three players and we are looking forward to seeing them in this environment and seeing what they can do," Gatland said.

"Some experienced players have missed out, the message to them is the door isn't closed looking long term, it's just a reflection of where we are depth wise and the opportunity to look at other players.

"A further eight players haven't been selected due to injury, dependent on their recovery they could be called in at a later date."

Wales' England-based players will be unable to play in their country's first Test, against Scotland in Cardiff on Nov. 3, as it falls outside of World Rugby's international window.

Cardiff's Gareth Anscombe is therefore set to feature at fly-half due to the absence of Northampton Saint's Biggar, while Rhys Patchell is a doubt after being ruled out of Scarlet's Champions Cup fixture against Leicester on Friday due to concussion.

Full Squad

Forwards (20): Rob Evans (Scarlets), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Leon Brown (Dragons) , Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Ospreys), Cory Hill (Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Dragons), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons)

Backs (17): Aled Davies (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints), Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Tyler Morgan (Dragons), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors), Steffan Evans (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets), Jonah Holmes (Leicester Tigers), Luke Morgan (Ospreys), George North (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Saracens)