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WATCH: Gatland explains his selection decisions

Warren Gatland has revealed the reasons behind the shock omission of Welsh scrummage rock Adam Jones from his autumn squad, admitting: “It’s apparent front-row forwards need to get around the park.”

The four-time Six Nations title and Lions series winner was the biggest casualty as the Kiwi announced the 34 players for crucial pre-2015 World Cup Tests against Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and South Africa next month.

Jones was dropped for Wales’ final match in last season’s Six Nations and hauled off after just 30 minutes of the opening Test in South Africa four months ago, not even making the replacements bench for the second.

He moved to Cardiff Blues from the Ospreys but new surroundings and his form so far this campaign have failed to convince Gatland he’s should be in the Wales party for the demanding but exciting assignments against the big three of world rugby.

Pictures: The big losers from the autumn squad selection

More:The biggest Wales losers as Gatland gets ruthless

More:Live reaction following the announcement

“We just feel the game never stays still. It continues to move on and the change in the scrummaging sequence last year put a lot of pressure on tight-heads,” explained Gatland.

“It probably dropped the value of tight-heads by half overnight and what’s become apparent is front-row forwards need to get around the park.

“We have had that conversation with Adam. We are still looking for more involvement from him around the pitch and potentially greater participation around the field.

“Look, we know what Adam is capable of bringing to us and, if there’s an injury, we always have the option of calling him in.

“The door is not closed on him or James Hook. With Adam it’s important he continues to keep working on his game.

“He looks in reasonable shape physically but there are other aspects of his game we need him to keep working on. It’s also a chance for us to look at some youngsters.”

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Is this the end for Jones and James Hook?

Gatland said Hook being with English club Gloucester was a factor in his exclusion with uncertainty over whether he would be available for the end of autumn series clash with South Africa and the prospects of him being able to attend all training sessions.

With Wales only deciding to pick two specialist outside-halves – the in-form Dan Biggar was a certainty – it meant Rhys Priestland got the nod despite performing erratically for the Scarlets.

“We decided we were only going to pick two 10s in the squad. There is always that balance between the players who are playing in Wales and outside of Wales and not having them fully in camp,” said Gatland.

“If they’re not in the 23 it means they have to be released back to English clubs and they’re not available for the fourth international.

“I know England have a hard and fast rule and we’re still picking some players but ultimately our goal for the future is to have as few players as possible playing outside Wales.

“If you are, there’s a risk it might make you difficult to be selected. But as I said the door is not closed on James and other 10s.

“We looked at Rhys Patchell as an option and Gareth Anscombe as well – he arrives this week with the Blues.

“But we felt it was important we didn’t throw him into the squad and he had to play some rugby with the Blues. We felt it was important the two 10s were with us all the time.”

Pictures: Meet the Wales squad

WALES SQUAD 2014 DOVE MEN SERIES:

Forwards: Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester Rugby), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), James King (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Dragons).

Backs: Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), James Roberts (Racing Metro), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Tom Prydie (Dragons), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Liam Williams (Scarlets).