The Wales head coach has named his Wales autumn squad, prompting questions of why so-and-so didn't make it

Perhaps it's a sign of things moving forward that the reaction of Wales' autumn squad hasn't been over the players who made their way in to Steve Tandy's selection, but the ones who didn't.

It's not always how things go, but that kind of reaction can show that there's depth for places where there once was not. And, in the cases of the players not picked, there's a few that can be explained away fairly easy.

Tommy Reffell, albeit unbeknownst when the squad was announced, is injured. At least this is one time where the openside's exclusion isn't baffling.

It's a little too soon for a return for Taulupe Faletau, regardless of how seamlessly he slotted back into rugby on the weekend.

Olly Cracknell is another missing piece, but the back-row is very competitive. Had Taine Basham not been included, the cries would have been that Tandy wasn't picking on form.

It's perhaps a similar case in the back-three, with Macs Page the obvious absentee. The Scarlets flyer has been in superb form this season, having endured a bit of a setback following his maiden Test call-up in the summer of 2025.

There's no place for Page, nor Mason Grady, with Wales recalls for Rio Dyer and Gabriel Hamer-Webb. Both have been putting in equally strong performances this season.

Seb Davies' recall was perhaps the most surprising. The Dragons lock has been playing well this season.

However, his last cap came on the blindside four-and-a-half years ago, starting in the home defeat to Italy under Wayne Pivac in 2022.

Given the Dragons' lineout success early in the campaign, with the driving maul a greater weapon given the law amendments earlier in the year.

Perhaps, given he's the URC's top try-scorer, Elliot Dee might have expected to be included, too.

But, if there is a takeaway from those changes, it's the value in heavy and physical front-five forwards.

New faces but similar styles

While it's endlessly fascinating in Welsh rugby to ruminate on who didn't make it, it's worth giving a mention to those who did.

There are three uncapped players in this Welsh squad. Perhaps what makes them so interesting is that, stylistically, they're very similar to what came before.

Starting in the pack, loosehead Rhys Barratt, as shown by his cameo against the Barbarians in London this summer, is a prop who likes to carry in space.

That's not too dissimilar from how Tandy has brought Rhys Carre back in from the cold in the last year.

Moving into the backline, scrum-half Che Hope gets a chance following Kieran Hardy's injury.

While he was compared to Mike Phillips last week, former Wales half-back Richie Rees has already provided a more apt comparison for the Dragons youngster; Tomos Williams.

Wales need a deputy to the Saracens man. While Hardy had started the season well, impressing the coaches, his injury allows either Hope or Reuben Morgan-Williams - another lively scrum-half who can push the tempo - the chance to step up.

That brings us onto the final new face.

Dragons centre Aneurin Owen had probably thought the Test boat had sailed, having been an unused call-up in 2021.

However, his consistency for the Men of Gwent has finally earned him his time in the sun.

A driving force for the Rodney Parade side, he can pack a punch in midfield - but fundamentally, he's a ball-playing centre in the mould of a Ben Thomas or Joe Hawkins.

Three new faces, very much fitting the style of those who came before.