Justin Tipuric: Flanker named Wales captain for autumn internationals
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Ospreys captain Justin Tipuric has played 85 internationals for Wales and one Test for the British and Irish Lions
Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric will replace Dan Biggar as Wales captain for the autumn internationals.
Biggar will miss the campaign with a knee injury, with head coach Wayne Pivac initially not naming a captain when announcing his squad.
Pivac has decided on Tipuric as his skipper for the four-match series against New Zealand, Argentina, Georgia and Australia.
Wales open the series against the All Blacks on Saturday, 5 November.
"I am honoured and didn't quite expect it to be honest," said Tipuric.
"I am just happy to get back in the squad and to have the responsibility of leading such a great bunch of boys on to the field is one of those definite highlights of your career."
Tipuric, 33, missed the 2021-22 season with a shoulder injury suffered while playing for the British and Irish Lions against Japan in June 2021.
After returning to action at the start of this season, Tipuric picked up a rib injury before coming back as a replacement in the United Rugby Championship defeat against Dragons on 23 October.
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He was chosen to captain Wales for the first time at the 2019 World Cup against Uruguay.
He also led the side against Barbarians in an uncapped international, which was Pivac's first game in charge in November 2019, and against Georgia in 2020.
Tipuric took over from Alun Wyn Jones as Ospreys captain in 2018.
Other back-row options for Pivac in his squad include Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, Josh Macleod, Dan Lydiate, Christ Tshiunza and Taulupe Faletau, who is carrying a calf injury.
"It's very exciting to be back at the stadium," added Tipuric.
"You take it for granted not playing there for a while and I guess when you're out of the game for a while you look back on it and shows how much you do miss it.
"It's one of the big things that you miss in rugby and it's something you want to make the most of whether it's one more game or 10 more minutes left to play there."
Justin Tipuric says he is honoured to lead Wales in the absence of Dan Biggar
Pivac outlined the reasons why he had chosen Tipuric ahead of other contenders.
"He is a very senior player, has captained the side before when we first took over against the Barbarians and did a very good job on those first couple of weeks," added Pivac.
"We think he will command a starting position and he has got the respect of all the players in the squad from the most senior player down to the most junior.
"We also look at the ability to communicate with referees and the influence you may or may not be able to have on a game.
"We think he ticks the boxes we needed to be ticked.
"Justin can play in all three back-row positions so we have multiple options with the group that we have got.
"Clearly when it comes to selection we are already talking around the likely and possible selection for New Zealand and Justin will be in the mix somewhere."
Pivac praised Tipuric's character after battling back from a long-term injury that sidelined him for 14 months.
"He has, like a number of players, suffered a serious injury in the last 18 months and done exceptionally well to work hard to get back to this level of the game in a short space of time once being cleared to play.
"I admire those players that get through those dark times and when they come out the other side they are generally a lot stronger for it.
"He's in a way fortunate he is at a stage in his career where he understands and knows these things can happen.
"He has probably had a few injuries before, but that was probably a particularly nasty one.
"I am just pleased to have him back available for Wales."
Wales squad for autumn internationals
Forwards: Rhodri Jones (Dragons), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Bradley Roberts (Dragons), Tomas Francis (Ospreys), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby), Sam Wainwright (Saracens), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Ben Carter (Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Will Rowlands (Dragons), Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Josh Macleod (Scarlets), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, capt), Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs).
Backs: Dane Blacker (Scarlets), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets), Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby), Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Cardiff Rugby), Joe Hawkins (Ospreys), George North (Ospreys), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby), Alex Cuthbert (Ospreys), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets), Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester).
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