Wales handed fitness encouragement alongside further injury concern

No 8 Aaron Wainwright is expected to be fit for Wales' Autumn Nations Series campaign after overcoming a hamstring injury, although his game time will be limited before Warren Gatland's side face Fiji on November 10.

The Dragons back-row has been out since starting for Wales in their first Test loss to Australia in Sydney in July in what was his 50th cap. The 27-year-old had started every match for Wales in 2024 prior to that.

While his Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan has ruled him out of the United Rugby Championship clash with Benetton on Saturday at Rodney Parade, he is expected to return the week after against Connacht.

Though the match against the Irish outfit will come after Warren Gatland is expected to name his Wales squad for the autumn, the back-row would be a surprising omission given his performances in red this year. Though his game time would be limited before linking up with the national squad, his presence will be a boost for his coach.

"Connacht is a realistic target, as long as he can complete these two weeks of training," said Flanagan.

"We need to make sure he is safe, but he has hit every target that has been set for him, and exceeded some."

Unfortunately for Gatland, Flanagan also confirmed that hooker Elliot Dee is not expected to return until December after suffering a setback to the ankle injury that ruled him out of Wales' summer internationals.

This injury update comes the day after it was confirmed that lock Dafydd Jenkins will also not be available for the internationals, where Wales face Fiji, Australia and South Africa.