Injured Faletau in Wales rugby union squad

Injured No.8 Taulupe Faletau is a surprise inclusion in the Wales squad for the November internationals, which includes a Test against the Wallabies.

Coach Rob Howley also called up uncapped duo Sam Davies and Rory Thornton to the 36-man squad announced on Tuesday.

Experienced backs Leigh Halfpenny and Alex Cuthbert make their return for their country after their respective injury struggles, along with backrower Dan Lydiate, who was also included.

Halfpenny has not played an international since suffering knee ligament damage before last year’s World Cup.

“It’s great to be able to welcome back experienced players such as Dan Lydiate, Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny, who have missed out recently with injury and that experience will be important this autumn,” Howley said.

Faletau is one of three wildcard picks under Wales’s senior selection policy, with powerhouse backs George North and Jamie Roberts the other two.

Faletau injured a knee in his club debut for Bath in September and is not expected back in training until mid-November, but Howley said his experience would still be of value to the squad.

“Taulupe is still in his rehab process and has been working closely with Bath,” said Howley, who is taking charge while Warren Gatland is away on British and Irish Lions duty.

“We hope he will be available in the later part of the campaign.”

Wales open their run of Tests against Australia on November 5, before facing Argentina, Japan and South Africa.

Squad:

Forwards: Scott Andrews, Tomas Francis, Rhys Gill, Gethin Jenkins, Samson Lee, Nicky Smith, Scott Baldwin, Kristian Dacey, Ken Owens, Jake Ball, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Rory Thornton, Dan Baker, Taulupe Faletau, James King, Dan Lydiate, Ross Moriarty, Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton (capt)

Backs: Gareth Davies, Rhys Webb, Lloyd Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Dan Biggar, Sam Davies, Jonathan Davies, Tyler Morgan, Jamie Roberts, Scott Williams, Hallam Amos, Alex Cuthbert, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Liam Williams

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