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Warren Gatland will been finalising his Wales team to face South Africa today ahead of the final autumn international clash.

One man he won't have available to him, though, is two-time British and Irish Lion Leigh Halfpenny, who has not recovered from the concussion he suffered in the Australia clash.

It creates an interesting selection debate because it could have a number of implications on the starting side, depending on who Gatland feels is the best man to fill his shoes.

Owens: 'Four from four would be right up there'

Ken Owens has admitted this a win on Saturday would elevate this autumn campaign to a place among his best achievements.

The hooker highlighted the fact that Wales have struggled against Tier Two opposition in the past.

It’s also worth throwing into the mix that Wales haven’t won nine in a row since 1999 and have, for the first time, beaten two southern hemisphere teams in the same calendar year.

“To get four from four, beating a very good Scotland side and getting a convincing win against Tonga - when we’ve generally struggled against a Tier Two nation - would be a huge positive.

“It would be right up there for me.

“We’ve played some good stuff this year, blooded some players and built some experience. It would be great to finish the calendar year on a massive positive and plus point.

“We would be really happy going into the Six Nations by signing off the autumn with four wins.”

Ken Owens

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Wales hopeful Ollie Griffiths fit again

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How South Africa turned it around

Much has been made of this South African revival and they look a different team to the ones that Wales have faced in recent years.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus credits the players for the turnaround in fortunes...

“Sometimes, you have to reach rock-bottom to accept there are a few things wrong.

“The players took responsibility, ownership and a bit of a reality check of where we were in world rugby.

“I know we are still ranked number five, which is not great, but the difference between three and six is much closer than it was maybe a year ago.

“You can only put it down to the players accepting it and putting the effort in and doing their homework really hard. They are well-conditioned and know the opposition.

“We don’t have a great win record, but the intensity and intent are there to try and get better.”

Rassie Erasmus

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus in a Springboks training session this week ahead of clash with Wales
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus in a Springboks training session this week ahead of clash with Wales (Image: Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
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Wales name Sevens side for Dubai and Cape Town

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Scotland name team to face Argentina

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Team of the autumn so far

Always a good source of debate.

We’re into the final week of the autumn internationals so it’s as good a time as any to ponder a combined XV.

We’ve picked ours here...


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Throwback

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'People didn't fear us but that's coming back'

South Africa are showing signs that they are heading in the right direction under boss Rassie Erasmus after a difficult couple of years.

In their recent visits to the Principality Stadium, their sides have been a mere shadow of those that have gone before them when, in the days of Bakkies Botha and his crew, they were feared.

There is no longer that degree of fear attached to this fixture but full-back Willie Le Roux believes it’s coming back.

“We went back to our traditional way, how the Springboks play rugby.

“There was a stage where people did not fear the Springboks any more, or the badge. We are getting that back through the structures Rassie has built.

“Everyone in the team is equal, and it makes a big difference. The guys are playing for each other more and we know what it means for our country back home.

“We enjoy going out and wearing the jersey.

“It is only the players, coaches and management who can make the difference for you. Nobody else can. You have to stand up when you are wrong, move forward and don’t make the same mistakes again.”

Willie Le Roux

Willie Le Roux training in Treforest
Willie Le Roux training in Treforest (Image: Getty Images)
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All Blacks 'still the best in the world'

Despite their defeat to Ireland last weekend, former All Black and Harlequins pivot Nick Evans believes their still the best in the world.

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has been keen to play down the favourites tag ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup but the former fly-half is having none of that.

He wrote in his column for the Guardian...

“Regardless of what Steve Hansen says, New Zealand are still the best team in the world and they are the favourites for next year’s World Cup.

“Yes, the gap has been closed a significant amount, but the big question is whether the All Blacks should be panicking now, and I still think the answer is no.

“All credit to Ireland, they deserved their fantastic victory and they are being widely congratulated and rightly so.”

Nick Evans

Ireland's Jacob Stockdale scores a try against New Zealand
Ireland's Jacob Stockdale scores a try against New Zealand (Image: PA)
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France to show support for Alfie

As you may now know, former Wales captain Gareth Thomas was the victim of a homophobic attack in Cardiff on the weekend.

As a show of support, the French rugby team will wear rainbow laces in this weekend’s match against Fiji this weekend.

Thomas spent three years at French Top14 side Toulouse during his playing career.

Full story here...

Gareth Thomas
Gareth Thomas (Image: Daily Post)
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Good morning!

Welcome to our live rugby news blog where we’ll be bringing you all the latest throughout the day.

Wales are on a day off today, so there will be little coming out of their camp but there is still plenty of stuff going on elsewhere.

We’ll be keeping you right up to date with all the rugby news from around the world ahead of the final autumn internationals this weekend.

Stay tuned...

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