Faletau out of autumn Tests as Wales call Cracknell

Wales have lost veteran number eight Taulupe Faletau for their autumn series to a knee injury.

The British and Irish Lions forward has been replaced by uncapped Olly Cracknell of Leicester Tigers.

Faletau limped off just four minutes into Cardiff's United Rugby Championship victory over Edinburgh on Saturday.

Wales head coach Steve Tandy admitted it was "hugely disappointing" to lose the 109-cap back row, who turns 35 next month.

He said: "It's hugely disappointing to lose Toby to injury as he's a world-class player.

"But Olly's been playing really well for Leicester and we're excited to add him to the squad."

Wales face Argentina on Sunday 9 November before Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.

Former Ospreys player Cracknell has impressed for Tigers in recent seasons and has been selected ahead of Ross Moriarty of Ospreys.

Aaron Wainwright, Morgan Morse and Taine Plumtree are contenders for the Wales number eight spot as well as captain Jac Morgan.

Morgan, usually a flanker, made his first appearance of the season off the bench as number eight for Ospreys as they drew at Dragons on Saturday.

Forwards

Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Adam Beard (Montpellier), Liam Belcher (Cardiff), Rhys Carre (Saracens), Ben Carter (Dragons), Brodie Coghlan (Dragons), Christian Coleman (Dragons), Olly Cracknell (Leicester Tigers), Rhys Davies (Ospreys), James Fender (Ospreys), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Alex Mann (Cardiff), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Morgan Morse (Ospreys), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers), Danny Southworth (Cardiff), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Freddie Thomas (Gloucester), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).

Backs

Josh Adams (Cardiff), Jacob Beetham (Cardiff), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Jarrod Evans (Harlequins), Kieran Hardy (Ospreys), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets), Louie Hennessey (Bath), Max Llewellyn (Gloucester), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Callum Sheedy (Cardiff), Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Tomos Williams (Gloucester).