Tuesday 21 October 2014 18:55, UK
Wales coach Warren Gatland has sprung a surprise by omitting British & Irish Lions pair Adam Jones and James Hook from his squad for the forthcoming autumn internationals.
Prop Jones, 33, recently signed for the Cardiff Blues and despite having established himself as one of the best scrummagers in world rugby over his 95 international appearances, has been overlooked along with utility back Hook, who joined Gloucester from Perpignan over the summer.
Wales kick off their autumn campaign when they face Australia on November 8 and will also take on Fiji, New Zealand and South Africa at the Millennium Stadium.
Nicky Smith has been playing exceptionally well for the Ospreys and we have been impressed with him and it's a great opportunity.
With a daunting schedule looming, Gatland opted to talk up promising youngsters such as uncapped Ospreys prop Nicky Smith - included in his 34-man squad - rather than dwell on the high-profile omissions.
The New Zealander said: "We are really happy with the squad, there is a lot of experience that has come back in, 12 players who were injured in the summer and didn't tour South Africa, they are back and fit and we have a couple of exciting youngsters as well.
"Nicky Smith has been playing exceptionally well for the Ospreys and we have been impressed with him and it's a great opportunity.
"When you look through the squad there is a huge amount of experience. We've taken a lot of things into account and made some tough decisions. We've had to weigh up a balance of players who play in Wales and outside, due to how often they can train and are with us but we are really happy with the squad.
"We are looking to the future and the next twelve months ahead with this squad but it doesn't close the door for anyone not selected.
"It is important that Adam Jones keeps working on his game, and we have had that conversation with him.
"There are other aspects of his game, particularly around the field, that we want him to keep working on and improving. Definitely, the door is not closed for Adam Jones or James Hook, going forward.
"The game never stays still. With the scrummaging rule changes, that put a lot of pressure on tightheads. It probably dropped the value of tight heads by half overnight.
"What has become paramount in the game is the ability of front-rows to be more mobile and get around the park. We have had that conversation with Adam, and it is something he is working on and will continue to work on.
"We decided we were only going to pick two 10s in the squad, and there is always that balance between the players who are playing in Wales and those who are playing outside of Wales and not having them fully in camp.
"There is always that risk that if you are playing outside of Wales it is potentially going to make it sometimes difficult for you to get selected. The door is not closed on James."
Forwards: Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester Rugby), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), James King (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Dragons).
Backs: Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), James Roberts (Racing Metro), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Tom Prydie (Dragons), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
Watch the Autumn Internationals live on Sky Sports
