All you need to know about Wales' autumn series

Wales have lost their last nine Test matches

Autumn international rugby returns following last year's break for the World Cup and Wales are hoping it marks a fresh start.

They have lost their last nine Tests and are aiming to avoid matching the worst run in Welsh rugby history.

But there are glimmers of hope after victory in their last outing, the non-cap match against Queensland Reds, the regions holding their own in the United Rugby Championship and several key players returning.

So here is all you need to know about the autumn Test series.

First up Fiji

Wales have won the last six meetings with Fiji but the name still sounds alarm bells ever since that notorious World Cup defeat in 2007.

The following match ended in a draw, the only time Fiji have avoided defeat in Cardiff, while last year's epic World Cup clash in Nantes was among the games of the tournament.

Wales held out to win 32-26 but only after Semi Radradra dropped the ball with the try line at his mercy in the final play of the game.

Fiji arrive in Cardiff this week on the back of their heaviest loss to Scotland on Saturday.

Head coach Mick Byrne will be clamping down on discipline this week after his side were shown two yellow cards inside the opening 14 minutes at Murrayfield.

Australia rematch

Wales have won four of the last seven Test against Australia

Control of this fixture - which now plays for the James Bevan Trophy - has swung back and forth.

In the first 70 years, Wales won six of the eight matches but since a Welsh victory at the 1987 World Cup, Australia has dominated by 28 wins to six.

However, Wales have won four of the last seven while the 2006 match ended in the second highest-scoring draw of all time, 29–29.

The Wallabies, under new head coach Joe Schmidt, are also rebuilding and edged out both Tests in the summer but have since finished bottom of the Rugby Championship, including a record 67-27 loss to Argentina.

Warren Gatland will be keenly watching Twickenham this Saturday where the Wallabies kick-off their tour of Britain and Ireland against England.

World champion Boks

South Africa have won six of the last seven meetings with Wales

Last to the Principality Stadium but certainly not least will be reigning world champions and Rugby Championship winners South Africa.

There was a time when Gatland had the winning formula against the Springboks, masterminding five wins between 2014 and 2018.

Since then, South Africa have won six of the last seven including the last two by heavy margins amid Gatland's rebuild of the Wales team.

By the time the Boks come to Cardiff for the final international of their season - after taking on Scotland and England - it could be a matter of who is left standing.

Form guide

Since beating Georgia in the group stage of the 2023 World Cup, Wales have lost their last nine Tests.

• Wales 17-29 Argentina (World Cup)

• Wales 26-27 Scotland

• England 16-14 Wales

• Ireland 31-7 Wales

• Wales 24-45 France

• Wales 21-24 Italy

• South Africa 41-13 Wales

• Australia 25-16 Wales

• Australia 36-28 Wales

Who is in, who is out?

Uncapped pair Freddie Thomas and Blair Murray have been included in Wales' 35-man squad.

Gatland has also re-called experience in Gareth Anscombe, Will Rowlands, Nicky Smith and Tomos Williams, as well as handing a shock recall to 31-year-old Dragons scrum-half Rhodri Williams, more than 10 years after his last Wales cap.

Dewi Lake retains the captaincy despite the return of Jac Morgan, who missed the summer tour.

Ben Carter has withdrawn through injury while Wales are also without Six Nations captain Dafydd Jenkins and British and Irish Lions trio Taulupe Faletau, Josh Adams and Liam Williams as well as recently retired Gareth Davies.

Forwards: Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias, Dewi Lake, Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas, Keiron Assiratti, Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Christ Tshiunza, Teddy Williams, Will Rowlands, Adam Beard, Taine Plumtree, James Botham, Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright.

Backs: Tomos Williams, Rhodri Williams, Ellis Bevan, Sam Costelow, Gareth Anscombe, Ben Thomas, Nick Tompkins, Max Llewellyn, Eddie James, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady, Blair Murray, Rio Dyer, Josh Hathaway, Tom Rogers, Cameron Winnett.

How to follow on BBC

Live commentary on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds, as well as live text coverage on the BBC Sport website and app.

• Sunday 10 November (13:40 GMT) Wales v Fiji

• Sunday 17 November (16:10 GMT) Wales v Australia

• Saturday 23 November (17:40 GMT) Wales v South Africa