Blair Murray, the Scarlets wing, is in line to earn his first cap for Wales in their match against the Fiji Water Flying Fijians in Cardiff on Monday. The 23-year-old is a native New Zealander, but he qualifies for the Welsh national team through his mother, who is from Tonyrefail in south Wales.
Murray made his way through the Crusaders academy and played for Canterbury in New Zealand’s domestic competitions before joining the Scarlets this summer. Though he has only played six games with his new team, he has been included in the Wales autumn squad and is poised to start ahead of Rio Dyer.
Additionally, Cardiff’s Ben Thomas and Mason Grady could shift back into their regular domestic positions after playing different roles last summer. Thomas, who played fly-half in two Tests against Australia, may return to his customary inside centre position, while Grady is expected to move to the wing alongside Max Llewellyn. Llewellyn has been recalled to the squad following a strong performance with Gloucester, and this match would mark his second start for the team.
The squad also sees the return of half-backs Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe, both of whom missed the summer tests due to injuries. Anscombe, who has not played Test rugby for over a year due to a groin issue, is keen to make his comeback.
Jac Morgan, the Ospreys flanker who has also been sidelined for more than a year, is working through a minor injury but is hoping to feature. Tommy Reffell is expected to continue wearing the number seven shirt, while Bath’s Archie Griffin, who has recovered from a temporary heart condition, is likely to retain his position as tight-head prop.
Wales is currently on a nine-match losing streak, with the possibility of matching their record of ten consecutive losses, which dates back to the early 2000s under Steve Hansen. The upcoming match against Fiji is crucial, especially with a challenging schedule ahead, including matches against Australia and South Africa later this month.
This situation, while challenging, presents an opportunity for growth and resilience for the Welsh team. With new talents like Murray stepping up and experienced players returning, there is hope for a turnaround in their performances. The match against Fiji could serve as a pivotal moment for the team to regain their confidence and shift away from this difficult streak.
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