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Blair Murray set to start for Wales on debut in huge Gatland call

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Blair Murray is set to make his Wales debut on Sunday, with Warren Gatland understood to have named him in his starting side to face Fiji.

The Scarlets winger has crossed for two tries in his six starts since moving to Llanelli this summer. The 23-year-old joined the west Walians from Canterbury at the start of the season, with the former New Zealand schoolboys star qualifying for Wales through his mother.

Gatland will name his first team of the autumn on Friday morning, with Murray's seventh match in Wales set to be at the Principality Stadium.

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Elsewhere in the backline, Max Llewellyn is understood to be in line for his first Test start since his debut against England last year, with the Gloucester centre set to wear the 13 jersey.

Llewellyn is set to partner Cardiff playmaker Ben Thomas in midfield, who is set to move from his summer role of fly-half to his preferred position of inside centre. The man who wore 12 in the summer, Mason Grady, will move out to the wing - joining Murray and Cameron Winnett in the back-three.

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With Thomas set to move into midfield, Gareth Anscombe is in line to start at fly-half - which will be his Wales appearance since the 40-6 win over Australia in last year's World Cup. He's set to partner Gloucester team-mate Tomos Williams in the half-backs, as the scrum-half marks his return to the Test stage after missing the summer tour of Australia through injury.

In the pack, the likes of Adam Beard and Will Rowlands are set to return after missing the summer tour through injury, while there's a suggestion Tommy Reffell could start ahead of Jac Morgan as the latter tries to shake off a minor injury.

Gatland could also be toying with a 6-2 split on the bench - which could include Morgan - as he goes in search of a first Test win of 2024.

Archie Griffin is also in line for a start, having not played since the first round of the Gallagher Premiership season after overcoming a heart condition.

Speaking about his Wales ambitions a couple of weeks ago, Murray - now set to achieve his Test dreams - couldn't believe how fast his rise had been.

"When I knew I was coming over I wanted to push for the Wales squad," said Murray. "I didn't think it would happen this fast so it was quite a shock.

"I don't fully know what to expect, but I know it's not going to be easy, although I'm willing to accept the challenge and get a part of it."