Louis Rees-Zammit and Rhys Carre return to Wales duty as new coach Steve Tandy names first squad for crunch November campaign

Wales head coach Steve Tandy hailed the return of 'special athlete' Louis Rees-Zammit after recalling the flying wing and keeping prop Rhys Carre out of England's reach. 

Rees-Zammit was on Tuesday, as expected, named in his first Test rugby squad since returning from the NFL. 

What was more of a surprise was that he was picked alongside Carre, who was thought to be ineligible for international action due to the fact he plays his club rugby in England and has less than the 25 caps required to do so and also represent Wales. 

Given Wales' struggles and lack of depth, Tandy sought approval from Wales' professional rugby board to pick Carre, whose last Test cap was in 2023, and that was granted. 

The Saracens forward could have switched national allegiance to England or Ireland in 2026 under World Rugby rules as he is eligible for both countries. 

But he has now re-committed to Wales in a boost to Tandy. 

'We're getting a special athlete and a special mindset,' Tandy said of Rees-Zammit, after naming his first squad as Wales head coach for four November Tests. 

'Most people are probably not brave enough to experience something different and that (NFL) was a big jump, so that tells you a lot about him as a person and his mentality. 

'He says to me he's definitely faster and bigger since he's come back, so that's good for us to hear. We've got to build a game where we can get him in the game more often.' 

Rees-Zammit is currently nursing a toe injury suffered on duty with Bristol, but is expected to be fit for Wales' autumn opener with Argentina on November 9. 

He and Carre were the headline inclusions in a 39-man squad which features five uncapped players and has an average age of 26. 

Tandy said he had not picked Carre just to ensure he didn't move to another country and he is certainly deserving of a squad place on form grounds. 

But the fact he will almost certainly play for Wales in the next month will mean he is now unlikely to switch nations. 

Carre, who has 20 caps, had previously been dropped by former Wales head coach Warren Gatland ahead of the 2023 World Cup for failing to hit fitness targets. 

'I never want to be a coach who just captures people. That's not the way to look at it or the way I want to work,' said Tandy. 

'Rhys is playing well. We can't overlook the fact he's playing for one of the top clubs in Europe and having a massive impact. 

'He seems to be really enjoying his rugby. The professional rugby board have approved him to play. That gives me real excitement.' 

Will Rowlands - who has announced his international retirement - was one notable squad absentee, while Tommy Reffell and Sam Costelow were also left out. 

So too was in-form Cardiff wing Tom Bowen as well as experienced backs Liam Williams and Gareth Anscombe. 

Wales have four autumn Tests against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa. 

Tandy's first campaign as coach comes at a time when the Welsh Rugby Union is considering cutting the number of its professional club teams from four to two, so there is every chance of off-field distraction which Tandy admitted. 

Meanwhile, England women's great Emily Scarratt has confirmed her retirement from rugby after winning her second World Cup last month. 

She also tasted global glory in 2014. 

Scarratt won 11 Six Nations titles, was women's World Rugby player of the year in 2019, and is England women's all-time leading scorer with 754 points having played 119 Tests. 

Centre Scarratt, 35, said playing for her country was 'the greatest privilege'.