How persistent Cracknell earned Wales shot at 31

Autumn Nations Series: Wales v Argentina

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Sunday, 9 November Kick-off: 15:10 GMT

Coverage: Commentary on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and live text on BBC Sport online.

International life is set to begin at 31 for Olly Cracknell after the back row was rewarded for his perseverance – and physicality – with a place on Wales' bench for Sunday's autumn opener against Argentina.

Cracknell initially missed out on Steve Tandy's squad for the four November Tests but then Taulupe Faletau suffered a knee injury playing for Cardiff.

Impressive Prem form earned the Leicester man a call-up and Cracknell is poised to make an impact off the bench against the Pumas in Cardiff.

It will be a rise to international level for a hard-working, no-nonsense forward who arrives at Principality Stadium via Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC) in Colwyn Bay, Ospreys, London Irish and then, after the Exiles' financial collapse, Tigers.

There have been 30 older Welshmen on Test debut, with the oldest being 34-year-old William Radford, of Newport RFC, in 1923.

Legendary Pontypool prop Tony Faulkner was also 34 when he finally made his Wales debut against France in Paris in 1975, going on to win 19 caps.

The oldest male debutant in the professional era is Dragons stalwart Jason Forster, who was 33 when winning his solitary cap against Argentina in 2004.

Dual-code international Anthony Sullivan was 32 when he faced the Pumas in 2001, while tight-head prop Henry Thomas and lock Olly Kohn were both 31 and slightly older than Cracknell when facing England and Ireland respectively.

The back-rower's reward for plugging away will come on Sunday when he becomes the 1216th player to represent his country.

Cracknell edged out 20-year-old Morgan Morse to face the Pumas and will be keen to make an impression in the countdown to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

"When we named the team on Monday and Olly was announced you see the emotion," said Tandy, who coached Cracknell at Ospreys.

"I felt emotional seeing someone who's gone on such a journey to get that opportunity later on in his career. I think it's an amazing story."

Cracknell, who made six appearances for Wales Under-20s, came close to a cap when at Ospreys in 2017.

Warren Gatland called up the forward, born in Leeds with a Welsh grandfather, for the Six Nations, but Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau, Ross Moriarty and James King featured.

Cracknell left Ospreys for London Irish in 2021 and their demise led to a move to Leicester the following summer.

It was at Welford Road that Wales assistant coach Danny Wilson got a first real taste of his attributes.

"It was only from working with him that I saw what he is capable of," said the former Dragons, Scarlets, Cardiff, Bristol and Glasgow coach.

"He is very quiet, gets on with his work and is very professional but is tough and physical.

"He's a great example of someone who has worked very hard and stayed on task, both in the United Rugby Championship and Prem, to get his opportunity to be brought into the squad."

The presence of Jasper Wiese meant that Cracknell initially appeared plenty of times at flanker and off the bench, but the strong-running South Africa number eight left Welford Road in 2024.

Cracknell stepped up and started 23 times last season when helping Tigers to the Prem final, while he has started at number eight in four of five rounds in 2025-25 with one outing as a replacement.

He is tasked with being the destructive force in an uncompromising league for a club that prides itself on pack power.

"He is knocking people back with his ball-carrying and tackling," said Wales loose-head prop and club team-mate Nicky Smith.

"It's great to have him around and I have no doubt that he will show what he has been doing for Leicester."

Tandy earned his chance as Wales boss with his exploits as a defence coach and against a notoriously physical Argentina team, has opted for a man that relishes collisions.

Pumas hooker Julian Montoya could find himself on the receiving end of a hit from a man who made a big impression on him at Welford Road.

"I love 'Crackers'. He is an amazing man and I am really happy for him," said the 32-year-old, who left for Pau at the end of last season.

"He has been outstanding in Leicester with the way that he has played and carried himself as a man.

"I have massive respect for him and I am not surprised at all that he has been picked.

"He carries the ball hard every game, tackles and is relentless with his physicality. He is a tough player."

Now, almost 12 years after heading to Colwyn Bay with RGC, Cracknell will attempt to show that on the Test stage.