Steve Tandy has some big selection calls to make throughout the starting XV ahead of the match against England
Sam Costelow of Wales(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
Wales’ Six Nations campaign starts in just 10 days time with a daunting trip to Allianz Stadium Twickenham to take on high-flying England.
Steve Tandy’s side are huge outsiders to cause an upset, with most experts expecting Wales to be on the end of a thrashing. Wales’ squad arrived in camp on Monday and preparations are well underway as Wales chase a first Six Nations victory since 2023.
Tandy has a number of big selection calls to make ahead of the big kick-off. JOIN OUR WALES RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest news, analysis and much more
Rugby correspondent Steffan Thomas names the team he’d like to see selected.
15. Louis Rees-Zammit
The 24-year-old is more accustomed to the wing at Test level but Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam believes his long-term future is at full-back.
Rees-Zammit has improved under the high ball and wearing the number 15 shirt should result in the Bristol flyer getting his hands on the ball more often.
He is undoubtedly Wales’ deadliest attacking weapon and Matt Sherratt needs to devise a way of getting the best out of him.
14. Tom Rogers
Rogers has been one of Wales’ better players in recent times and gets the nod because he is very good in the air.
George Ford will test the Wales back three under the high ball with the likes of Freddie Steward, Tom Roebuck and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso also extremely strong in this area of the game.
Rogers has not been at his best recently but has credit in the bank from the autumn after becoming the first Welsh player to ever score a hat-trick against the All Blacks.
13. Owen Watkin
The experienced Ospreys man is the best defensive centre in Welsh rugby.
England will ask Wales plenty of questions in midfield and as a result the defence will have to be watertight.
Watkin makes good decisions on both sides of the ball and is the glue of the Ospreys midfield.
Wales have missed his experience over the past year.
12. Eddie James
Tandy is likely to opt for either Joe Hawkins or Ben Thomas at inside centre, with Matt Sherratt keen on a ball-playing option there, but I’d like to see James given a go.
Wales have to cross the gainline and they also have to provide an answer to England’s physicality.
James is a powerful man who regularly makes post-contact metres but he is also a smart ball player with good footwork.
Scarlets centre Eddie James is pushing hard for a starting shirt for Wales(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
11. Ellis Mee
The 22-year-old is arguably the form back-three player in Wales at this moment in time.
He gets the nod over Mason Grady and Josh Adams due to his excellence under the high balls. Unlike in the autumn. Wales need to hold their own in the sky which is why Mee gets the nod.
He is also a very deceptive runner as we saw with a terrific finish for his last-gasp try as the Scarlets beat Ulster last weekend.
10. Sam Costelow
This may raise a few eyebrows and it is a tough call between Dan Edwards and Costelow.
But Costelow has been outstanding in recent weeks for the Scarlets and it is no coincidence to see an upturn in the west Walians’ form with the 25-year-old back in the number 10 shirt.
Costelow has been harshly judged by the Welsh rugby public but his all-round game has been excellent for the region and the Welsh coaches still believe he has the ability to be a top class international 10.
Deserves another chance.
9. Tomos Williams
One of the first names on the team sheet.
Williams is head and shoulders above every other Welsh scrum-half and will have to be at his very best if Wales are to have any chance at Twickenham.
The 31-year-old needs to manage the game well while he is also a player who can create try scoring opportunities out of nothing.
8. Olly Cracknell
The Leicester Tigers backrower was the official player of the match when Wales won their only match of the autumn against Japan.
Cracknell performs to a high level on a weekly basis against the likes of Ben Earl, Tom Curry and Guy Pepper in the Gallagher Prem.
The former Ospreys backrower is a powerful carrier who relishes the physical side of the game.
Olly Cracknell was simply superb against Japan(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
7. Josh Macleod
The Scarlets skipper gets the nod over Harri Deaves in this side and if selected will be a key player for Wales.
In the absence of Jac Morgan Wales struggled at the breakdown throughout the autumn. Macleod’s point of difference is his strength over the ball and he is one of the best in the United Rugby Championship at winning turnovers and slowing down the speed of the opposition’s ruck ball.
He is also a natural leader who is heavily respected within the squad.
6. Aaron Wainwright
Tandy also has the option of selecting Alex Mann on the blindside or James Botham.
I’d like to see him go for the size and ball carrying clout of Wainwright and Cracknell in the same backrow.
England have one of the strongest backrows around and Wales will need to match their physicality while also finding a way of getting over the gainline.
5. Adam Beard
The 30-year-old has been sidelined since before Christmas but is expected to be fit for Wales’ Six Nations opener against England.
Beard is a workhorse who gets through a ton of unseen work and is an outstanding lineout forward. If Wales get overpowered by England’s front five then it could turn ugly very quickly so there is a big onus on the likes of Beard.
4. Dafydd Jenkins
The 23-year-old has been in outstanding form for a resurgent Exeter Chiefs side in the Gallagher Prem. Jenkins is regularly top of the tackle charts while he brings a huge amount of leadership and physicality.
He is also a very good lineout forward who won’t be daunted by the England pack.
3. Tomas Francis
Keiron Assiratti’s injury is a big blow for Wales because the Cardiff prop was one of the better players during the autumn and is a fairly strong scrummager.
Wales may well have to turn to experienced campaigner Tomas Francis who has been recalled back into the squad for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Francis is strong at the set-piece but has been plying his trade in the second tier of French rugby for Provence.
Starting against England at Twickenham would be a big ask but the scrum is such an important part of the game it is worth the risk.
2. Dewi Lake (captain)
In the absence of Jac Morgan, Lake will be a crucial player for Tandy’s side after retaining the captain’s armband.
Lake is one of the few Welsh players who can match the bigger packs for size and power. The 26-year-old is a powerful carrier who can get over the gainline and is also strong at the breakdown.
But his main focus has to be on ensuring the lineout runs smoothly.
1. Nicky Smith
It’s a 50/50 call between Smith and Rhys Carré for the Wales loosehead prop berth.
But Smith’s scrummaging prowess just gets him the nod. England have a few injuries in the front-row, with first choice tighthead Will Stuart one of the absent players.
Leicester Tigers prop Smith is one of the most destructive scrummaging looseheads in the Gallagher Prem and Wales needs the former Ospreys star to transfer his club form onto the international game.
Replacements16. Ryan Elias
The 31-year-old missed the autumn internationals due to injury but has been impressive for the Scarlets of late.
Elias is exactly the type of physical specimen needed to take on the English while he is also a strong carrier.
17. Rhys Carré
The Saracens man is the perfect type of player to bring off the bench. An explosive carrier who could make a big impact later on in the game.
18. Archie Griffin
Like Carré, the Bath prop is another player who may be better suited as a replacement.
The 24-year-old is excellent around the park and will bring huge energy.
19. Freddie Thomas
The 24-year-old has been playing well for Gloucester and can cover both lock and blindside flanker.
20. James Botham
The 27-year-old has been in fine form for Cardiff and the fact he can cover the entire backrow makes him a useful player to bring off the bench.
21. Kieran Hardy
Hardy has been playing well for the Ospreys and was outstanding in the victory over Cardiff on New Year’s Day.
The 30-year-old brings a great deal of experience while the fundamental areas of his game are very strong.
22. Ben Thomas
Harsh on Dan Edwards but Thomas’ ability to play outside-half, centre and full-back at a push edges him into the match day 23.
23. Mason Grady
The Cardiff wing has his critics but when used correctly could be a hugely destructive weapon for Wales.
Grady has the size and power to dominate at Test level while he is also rapid when put into space.