Hours before Wales name their autumn squad, the Scarlets have named their touring squad for South Africa.
The west Walians take on the Stormers and Bulls in the coming weeks.
They will travel to South Africa without Ryan Elias, Sam Costelow, Eddie James, Ellis Mee and Blair Murray, who will “remain in Wales for a planned period of recovery following their recent international commitments and involvement in the opening weeks of the season”.
The club adds that the “decision follows discussions with the WRU and forms part of the player-management and rest provisions of PRA25. Decisions have been made with consideration of each player’s individual playing minutes, cumulative workload and recovery requirements across both international and club rugby ahead of the forthcoming Autumn Nations Championship”.
However, other Wales squad hopefuls like Josh Macleod, Taine Plumtree, Joe Hawkins, Joe Roberts and Macs Page are included. How much should be read into it remains to be seen.
Scarlets squad for South Africa
(Forwards) Kemsley Mathias, Sam O’Connor, Corey Domachowski, John McKee, George Roberts, Isaac Young, Harri O’Connor, Henry Thomas, Gabe Hawley, Tom Allen, Sam Lousi, Alex Groves, Harvey Cuckson, Dan Davis, Josh Macleod (capt), Taine Plumtree, Fletcher Anderson.
(Backs) Gareth Davies, Dane Blacker, Archie Hughes, Gareth Anscombe, Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, Johnny Williams, Joe Hawkins, Joe Roberts, Gabe McDonald, Macs Page, Isaac Murray-Macgregor, Ioan Jones, Ioan Nicholas.