Tonight's rugby news as Welsh stars tipped as 'bolters' and new call-up makes instant impact

These are your evening rugby headlines on Thursday, October 31.

Welsh stars tipped as 'bolters'

Former Scotland flanker John Barclay has sounded a warning to Wales' back-row hopefuls ahead of next year's Lions tour.

Jac Morgan is considered a likely tourist when Andy Farrell picks his squad to face Australia next summer, while Aaron Wainwright and Tommy Reffell will also be pushing hard for places on the plane.

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However, former Scarlets openside Barclay believes there are no guarantees - with any Welsh selections likely to be considered bolters given the form of Warren Gatland's side at present.

"We just missed each other at the Scarlets," said the TNT Sports pundit about Morgan. "He's had a tough time with injures. The back-row is just stacked. You look at all the home nations and there's going to be people who, on another Lions tour, would go.

"That's just the nature of the back-row and guys covering multiple positions. I think Jac is undoubtedly in with a shout, but there's a lot of rugby to be played between now and then.

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"You look at Ireland's back-row and the players they have on the bench. It's similar with England, with Ollie Chessum, Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Chandler Cunningham-South.

"Look at Scotland, Jack Dempsey is in with a shout. I think with Wales, Tommy Reffell and Aaron Wainwright will be in with a shout.

"There's just so much rugby to be played," Barclay added. "I think some of the Welsh players would be considered bolters, and I mean that just because the Welsh team isn't winning at the moment.

"You're probably considered a bolter if you're not in a winning team. But there's so much quality in that Welsh back-row."

Every match of 2024 Autumn Nations Series is exclusively live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Watch The Autumn Nations Rugby Show, free-to-air on Quest every Thursday at 10pm from Oct 31.

New call-up makes instant impact

New Wales squad member Freddie Thomas has made an instant impact in training, according to Gloucester team-mate Max Llewellyn.

The Gloucester second row was called up by Warren Gatland after an impressive start to the season at Kingsholm. While he previously represented England at age-grade level, he recently declared for Wales and has wasted no time in showing Gatland and his team what he can do.

Llewellyn, who has also returned to the Wales squad after a fine run of form for Gloucester, has sung the praises of his club team-mate, saying: "It’s great to have him here, he's a really, really good lad. To be fair, he's been training really well.

"We’ve had a few tough days here but he’s been showing off really well and his fitness looks really good, he’s physical. I think he’s definitely a good option for this autumn."

New Zealand hit back at Marler

By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent

New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson has hit back at Joe Marler after the England prop called for the Haka to be scrapped.

Marler baited the All Blacks ahead of Saturday's autumn opener at Allianz Stadium by writing on the social media site X on Tuesday night that "The Haka needs binning. It's ridiculous."

A follow-up post a day later included an emoji indicating he had been 'fishing' for a response but Robertson believes the 34-year-old, who left England's camp on Monday for personal reasons and will not face the 2023 World Cup runners-up, could have chosen his words more carefully.

"I know Joe. I wonder if he wished he could have articulated himself a little bit better on that," Robertson said at New Zealand's team announcement press conference. "The Haka for us is a custom. It's a part of who we are. It's our DNA. We believe it's a great tradition of rugby. The crowd enjoy it and they know it's a special occasion because how often do we come up here?

"All Pacific Nations do it beforehand to honour where they come from. It's not just about the All Blacks, it's about us as a country so it means a lot to us."

As part of the same social media post, Marler added: "It's only any good when teams actually front it with some sort of reply. Like the league boys did last week."

The Harlequins front row was referencing England rugby league player Mikey Lewis, who went head-to-head with Samoa's Gordon Chan Kum Tong when the war dance was being performed before their clash in Wigan on Sunday. Eddie Jones' England took on the Haka before their stunning 2019 World Cup semi-final victory over New Zealand by their players adopting a V-shape formation. Robertson described it as an "awesome" response.

"It had a clear meaning and it was respectfully done. It's great, it's what we're all about. The response has got to be meaningful and respectful. Whatever they come up with on Saturday we'll face," he said.

Marler's comments provoked a backlash in New Zealand including from David Seymour, leader of the political party ACT which is part of the coalition government.

"I love the Haka. It wouldn't be the All Blacks if they didn't do the Haka," Seymour told reporters outside Parliament. "Who is this Joe Marler guy? I've never heard of him. An English prop? Well in my experience there are very few props with high IQ. It could be something in that area."

Graham returns for Scotland against Fiji

By Anthony Brown, PA

Darcy Graham will make his first Scotland appearance in 13 months on Saturday after being named in an experienced XV to face Fiji in the opening autumn Test at Murrayfield.

The influential wing has not played for the national team since the World Cup defeat by Ireland in Paris in October 2023 but will start this weekend after playing in five of Edinburgh's six matches this term.

With the exception of Sharks hooker Dylan Richardson, who is named among the replacements, the 23 is entirely made up of Glasgow and Edinburgh players as it falls outside the international window.

That means Bath stand-off Finn Russell, Toulon scrum-half Ben White and Toulouse full-back Blair Kinghorn are unavailable for selection. In their absence, Adam Hastings will start at 10, Ali Price at scrum-half and Kyle Rowe at full-back.

Glasgow centre Sione Tiupulotu will lead the team for the first time since being appointed captain. Rowe, who will make his seventh international appearance, is the only player in the starting line-up with less than 10 caps, with Gregor Townsend sending out a familiar-looking side packed with Test experience.

Glasgow stand-off Tom Jordan - the only uncapped player in the 23 - is in line to make his debut off the bench, while Edinburgh prop D'Arcy Rae, with one cap to his name, is also listed among the substitutes.