Steve Tandy’s immediate focus will be on this summer’s inaugural Nations Championship but the Wales boss will undoubtedly already have an eye on the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
There is less than two years before Wales arrive in Australia, and building the required strength in depth to go deep into the competition will be high on Tandy’s list of priorities. Realistically, Wales will need to be three-deep with high quality in every position if they are to be competitive in Australia.
Here is what Wales’ depth chart currently looks like.
Back-three
Looking ahead to the World Cup, Louis Rees-Zammit is arguably the only player nailed on to start in the back-three, fitness permitting.
Josh Adams and Ellis Mee are the incumbent wings who both played well in the victory over Italy but aren’t undroppable.
The likes of Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Tom Rogers, Keelan Giles, Rio Dyer, Blair Murray and Josh Hathway will be pushing hard to break into the team.
It could be argued Wales lacked a cutting edge out wide with Rees-Zammit at full-back instead of the wing.
Tom Bowen celebrates last year’s win over England U20s(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
Looking ahead, Wales U20s speedster Tom Bowen, Bristol Bears wing Aidan Boshoff and Dragons full-back Huw Anderson are potential bolters for a World Cup place.
First choice – Louis Rees-Zammit, Ellis Mee and Josh Adams.
Chasing pack – Blair Murray, Cameron Winnett, Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Mason Grady, Tom Rogers, Rio Dyer, Josh Hathaway, Keelan Giles, Jacob Beetham.
Wildcards – Tom Bowen, Aidan Boshoff, Ioan Lloyd, Huw Anderson, Macs Page, Angus O’Brien.
Centres
Joe Hawkins and Eddie James improved as the Six Nations wore on and both will be important players for Wales leading into the World Cup.
But there are question marks over whether that is the best centre partnership for the long-term, with many experts of the opinion Wales should move James to 12 to get over the gain-line instead of going with a ball player at inside centre.
Wales do have plenty of options in midfield but it is about striking the right balance.
James and Bath centre Louie Hennessey is WalesOnline columnist Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies’ preferred centre partnership.
Ben Thomas, Owen Watkin and Max Llewellyn are other options but Harlequins’ Bryn Bradley is a potential bolter.
Bradley has been touted as a future Wales star(Image: Andrew Fosker/Shutterstock)
Bradley is an explosive ball carrier who has previously been compared to Wales great Jamie Roberts, while Welsh-qualified Bristol Bears centre James Williams is a ball-playing 12, the type Matt Sherratt likes.
But many within the game are adamant Cardiff centre Steff Emanuel is the real deal and could be a bolter for the upcoming World Cup.
First-choice: Eddie James and Joe Hawkins
Chasing pack: Ben Thomas, Owen Watkin, Louie Hennessey, Max Llewellyn
Wildcards: Bryn Bradley, James Williams, Joe Jenkins, Aneurin Owen, Steffan Emanuel
Outside-half
Dan Edwards is the man in possession of the jersey and the Ospreys man is developing into a serious player.
But there isn’t a great deal between Edwards and Sam Costelow, who was outstanding for Wales in their narrow defeat to Scotland. Edwards and Costelow provide strong competition for the number 10 jersey.
Both Jarrod Evans and Callum Sheedy are the contenders for a wider squad place, while Ben Thomas and Joe Hawkins can also play 10.
One potential bolter for a World Cup place is the Ospreys’ Jack Walsh, with the Florida-born Australian set to qualify for Wales on residency grounds in the near future.
The next World Cup will come too soon for the likes of Carwyn Leggatt-Jones and Harri Wilde.
If Wales have a full-strength squad then Edwards and Costelow are two strong options but there is a lack of depth.
First choice: Dan Edwards
Chasing pack: Sam Costelow, Jarrod Evans Callum Sheedy
Wildcard: Jack Walsh
Scrum-half
Tomos Williams is Wales’ undisputed first choice but there isn’t a great deal of depth behind the Saracens-bound number nine.
Kieran Hardy and Reuben Morgan-Williams are reliable players but Wales could really do with a bolter from somewhere.
Dragons scrum-half Che Hope looks like a top prospect and has been outstanding in the URC this season. Hope is an electric broken field runner who can create opportunities out of nothing.
One potential wildcard is Scarlets man Archie Hughes, who has improved in recent times after getting a run of games in the number nine jersey.
But on the whole there is a lack of depth at scrum-half and this is an area of concern in Welsh rugby.
First choice: Tomos Williams
Chasing pack: Kieran Hardy, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Che Hope, Rhodri Williams, Ellis Bevan
Bolter: Archie Hughes
Backrow
Wales have some strong options in the backrow.
Jac Morgan will go straight into the starting XV this summer after recovering from injury, with the likes of James Botham, Harri Deaves, Josh Macleod and Tommy Reffell strong options at openside, while Thomas Young shouldn’t be discounted either.
Aaron Wainwright has nailed down the No 8 jersey after a sensational Six Nations for the Dragons man but Tandy needs to make a decision on whether he moves on from the legendary Taulupe Faletau, who was injured again on Friday night.
Morgan Morse will also be in the mix in the back-row and Tandy should also look at Exeter Chiefs backrower Kane James, who is Welsh-qualified.
England U20s No 8 Kane James in action against Wales(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
The likes of Alex Mann, Taine Plumtree, Olly Cracknell and Ryan Woodman are all decent options.
With regards any wildcards it is not inconceivable Wales U20s co-captain Deian Gwynne will make the World Cup squad.
Gwynne is a regular in Gloucester’s matchday 23 in the Gallagher Prem and is an outstanding prospect who carries well.
First choice: Alex Mann, Jac Morgan, Aaron Wainwright
Chasing pack: James Botham, Harri Deaves, Josh Macleod, Tommy Reffell, Taine Plumtree, Olly Cracknell, Ryan Woodman, Morgan Morse, Taine Basham, Taulupe Faletau.
Wildcards: Kane James, Deian Gwynne, Thomas Young, Morgan Morris, Alun Lawrence.
Second-rows
Wales’ pack fronted up big time during the latter part of the Six Nations as the physicality went up a few notches.
When Wales have a first-choice team out they have some decent locks in Dafydd Jenkins, Ben Carter and the experienced Adam Beard but strength in depth is an issue.
The return of Teddy Williams should be a welcome boost for Steve Tandy, while Freddie Thomas and Rhys Davies add some depth.
It would also be a significant coup if Wales could snap up Canterbury Crusaders’ Welsh-qualified lock Tahlor Cahill.
Tahlor Cahill is being targeted by the WRU(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
There are some good second-rows coming through the pathway in Luke Evans, Osian Williams and Will Evans but 2027 will be too soon for them.
First-choice: Dafydd Jenkins and Ben Carter
Chasing pack: Rhys Davies, James Fender, Freddie Thomas, Adam Beard, Jake Ball, Christ Tshiunza, Seb Davies.
Wildcards: Tahlor Cahill, Huw Sutton, Jonny Green, Levi Douglas.
Hookers
Dewi Lake is the undisputed first-choice after an excellent Six Nations campaign.
There is enough depth at hooker with Ryan Elias, Elliot Dee and Liam Belcher competing for a place in the matchday 23.
The likes of Brodie Coghlan and Evan Lloyd need a big 12 months if they are to be one of the three hookers selected in the World Cup squad.
Potential bolters could be livewire Ospreys hooker Lewis Lloyd or Gloucester’s Welsh-qualified hooker Jack Innard.
But young Cardiff and Wales U20s hooker Tom Howe is arguably the best prospect in the Welsh game.
He has not made his senior debut for Cardiff yet but he is such a prospect one would expect him to take to the URC like a duck to water.
If he gets an opportunity, a place in the World Cup squad is not as far-fetched as it seems.
First-choice: Dewi Lake
Chasing pack: Ryan Elias, Liam Belcher, Elliot Dee, Brodie Coghlan, Evan Lloyd, Sam Parry.
Bolters: Tom Howe, Oli Burrows, Lewis Lloyd, Jack Innard.
Props
Wales have strength in depth at loosehead with Rhys Carré having taken his game to a new level during the Six Nations and should continue to go from strength to strength.
Nicky Smith also played an influential role as a replacement early in the second-half, while Gareth Thomas is also a safe pair of hands at Test level.
There are also the likes of Kemsley Mathias, Rhys Barratt and Garyn Phillips playing well in the URC.
But tighthead remains a concern, with a lack of depth and Wales cannot be overly reliant on Tomas Francis. Archie Griffin is a good player, as is Keiron Assiratti, but if they pick up a few injuries they are in trouble.
There are some good tightheads within the pathway such as Jac Pritchard who played very well for Wales U20s over the past couple of months but they won’t be ready in time for the 2027 World Cup.
First choice: Rhys Carré and Tomas Francis
Chasing pack: Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Archie Griffin, Keiron Assiratti, Sam Wainwright, Kemsley Mathias, Chris Coleman, WillGriff John
Bolters: Garyn Phillips, Rhys Barratt, Jordan Morris, Ben Warren