Warren Gatland selects ex-England prop Henry Thomas in World Cup squad as Joe Hawkins misses out

Warren Gatland has never been a stranger to shock selections in a glittering coaching career and he was it again on Monday when naming former England prop Henry Thomas in his Wales squad. 

Thomas, a TOP14 winner with Montpellier last season, won seven caps in a white shirt with his last coming in 2014.

Forgotten by England since then and playing in France from 2021 after stints with Sale and Bath, it was unknown that Thomas, 31, qualified for Wales through his father.

He is set to become the latest to benefit from World Rugby changing its eligibility rules which now allow for a player to switch nations following a three-year break.

Gatland revealed he had tried to get Thomas in a red jersey during his previous stint as Wales coach but has now sealed the deal. 

Warren Gatland has included ex-England prop Henry Thomas in his World Cup training squad

Thomas won seven caps for the mens senior side and played for England U20s too

Meanwhile Joe Hawkins, who will join Exeter, is one of the key absentees, being now ineligible for Wales

Gatland hopes Thomas can bring a hard edge to his World Cup outfit.

‘He’s been around and he’s experienced, so he will hopefully come in and make an impression,’ Gatland said of his latest pluck from obscurity.

‘He’s someone we spoke to a number of years ago about his availability. We think with his experience he brings something different.

‘You’ve got to bring a physical element and be strong at the set-piece. He has also got some good ball-carrying ability and is pretty mobile getting around the park.’ 

The madness of Wales’ controversial selection policy was shown on Monday when Wales picked an England cap playing in France but Gatland was unable to select the Exeter-bound Joe Hawkins. 

Centre, Hawkins, will be in England for next season, but with five caps has less than the 25 needed to continue at international level and also play for a club outside Wales. 

But lock Will Rowlands, who has 23 caps and will join French side Racing 92 after the World Cup, is named.

That’s because Wales have confirmed he will still be registered to his current side Dragons during the summer where he can reach the 25-cap mark in World Cup warm-up games. 

Hawkins starred in midfield for the Dragons during the 2023 Six Nations and has five caps 

Lions prop Wyn Jones was another absence from the Welsh national side’s training squad

Another lock in Cory Hill, who has 32 caps but plays in Japan, is also involved in an extended 54-man party which will be cut before the World Cup.

Gatland has named 10 uncapped players. Lions prop Wyn Jones and Hawkins are the headline absentees.

‘He’s made his decision to go to Exeter. We are disappointed he’s made that decision,’ Gatland said of Hawkins, 20, who won’t play at the World Cup and is now ineligible for Wales. 

‘I’ve spoken to him two or three times. We said we thought he was a big part of our future. He feels at the moment that going to play club rugby in England will be good for his development.’