Shane Williams Picks His Wales XV For The Upcoming Autumn Internationals

You won’t find a November schedule tougher than this.

Wales will welcome back head coach Warren Gatland for this autumn’s November series after his exploits with the Lions in New Zealand. Gatland missed an entire season with Wales due to his commitments, including the 2017 Six Nations.

Gatland couldn’t have a more difficult run of games to welcome him back. Wales have a brutal November programme which includes Tests against the three traditional mega powers-  Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Legendary Wales winger Shane Williams has been looking ahead to the series in a piece with WalesOnline, and he reckons Gatland should stick to the old guard and go with as much experience as possible for the tough series.

“It’s a bit early to be picking a team for the autumn series-injuries can happen and form can tail off-but If I had to name a side today I would stick with the old guard”, Williams wrote.

“Apologies, then, to all those who would love to see some new faces lining up against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa this November.”

“Experience counts and a game against the All Blacks in front of 75,000 in Cardiff is no place to be experimenting.”

Wales also have a game against Georgia in November, which is the only game Williams thinks should be used to blood-in some youngsters.

“That isn’t to say I wouldn’t look to blood a few youngsters in the match with Georgia.”

Shane Williams’ Wales XV for the Autumn series:

Backs
15. Liam Williams
14. Leigh Halfpenny
13. Jonathan Davies
12. Scott Williams
11. George North
10. Dan Biggar
9. Rhys Webb

Forwards
1. Rob Evans
2. Ken Owens
3. Samson Lee
4. Jake Ball
5. Alun Wyn Jones
6. Sam Warburton
8. Taulupe Faletau
7. Justin Tipuric