Steve Tandy has some big selection calls to make ahead of this Saturday’s game
Steve Tandy yesterday named his final 33-man squad for the Nations Championship, with Wales boosted by the return of seven players who were unavailable for last weekend’s victory over the Barbarians.
Wales will have Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium this Saturday before travelling to the Southern Hemisphere to face Argentina and South Africa.
Here is the side Tandy is likely to select to take on Fiji.
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15. Blair Murray
Expect Tandy to move away from the Louis Rees-Zammit experiment at full-back and return to Murray.
The Scarlets man is a dangerous broken field runner who can hurt teams when put in space.
Murray has tremendous footwork and speed, while he also creates opportunities for other players.
But Murray’s lack of height has previously been exploited under the high ball and this is an area he needs to improve.
14. Louis Rees-Zammit
The Bristol Bears speedster played full-back for the entirety of the Six Nations and did a sterling job but his strengths are better utilised out on the wing.
Rees-Zammit’s main attribute is undoubtedly his speed and if Wales can create some space for the 25-year-old out on the edges then he could hurt Fiji.
But his defence will also be tested due to the calibre of wing in Fiji’s squad and Rees-Zammit could go head-to-head with world-class Lyon wing Jiuta Wainiqolo.
13. Eddie James
There are many pundits who are of the opinion James should be moved to inside centre in order to better utilise his size and power.
But attack coach Matt Sherratt wants a second playmaker at 12 so James will remain at outside centre for the foreseeable future.
James is a very powerful carrier capable of making significant post-contact metres, while he also possesses a neat passing game and also hits hard in defence.
12. Joe Hawkins
Wales will go for continuity in midfield by sticking with the Scarlets centre partnership of Hawkins and James.
The coaches are big fans of Hawkins who fulfils that second playmaker role while also possessing the physicality needed at this level.
Hawkins also has the skillset and the vision to put other players into space but he will have his hands full against a powerful Fiji midfield which could include powerhouse Racing 92 star Josua Tuisova.
11. Josh Adams
Tandy decided to rest Adams for the Barbarians fixture but there’s a strong chance he will come straight back into the starting XV against Fiji.
Adams played well for Cardiff towards the back end of the season as the Welsh club reached the United Rugby Championship play-offs.
He may not be the threat of old but Adams remains a safe pair of hands at this level. However, he will have his work cut out against the flying Fijians.
10. Dan Edwards
This is a tighter call than most people think given how highly Sam Costelow is rated by the Wales management.
But Costelow only has one half of rugby under his belt since sustaining a shoulder injury against Scotland during the Six Nations.
Edwards is the man in possession and it is his jersey to lose for now.
9. Tomos Williams
Kieran Hardy was excellent in the victory over the Barbarians but expect Saracens-bound Williams to come straight into the starting XV.
Williams is one of Wales’ most important players and is among the most dangerous attacking scrum-halves in world rugby.
Wales will rely heavily on Williams’ X-factor against Fiji.
8. Aaron Wainwright
The 28-year-old was Wales’ best player during the Six Nations and was awarded the official player of the match award in the victory over the Barbarians.
Wainwright is a tremendous ball carrier who is as comfortable carrying the ball into heavy traffic as he is in the wide channels.
The former Dragons backrower will be a key player for Wales this summer.
7. Jac Morgan
Tandy will have been delighted to see Morgan back in a red shirt against the Barbarians after he missed the entirety of the Six Nations and most of the autumn.
Morgan is a world-class player and Wales will need the Gloucester-bound openside at his best against Fiji.
The 26-year-old is a serious operator at the breakdown and the speed of Fiji’s ruck ball will need to be slowed down.
6. Taine Plumtree
This is arguably the toughest position to select given the competition.
James Botham and Alex Mann were regulars during the Six Nations but both have recently been sidelined with injuries.
Plumtree has his critics, with his discipline often called out, but he is a tremendous athlete who can bring a bit of X-factor to the backrow.
5. Teddy Williams
The Cardiff lock played his first game of rugby last Saturday against the Barbarians since dislocating his foot in October.
But Williams impressed enough to win the nod over Gloucester’s Freddie Thomas in Tandy’s final 33-man squad.
The 25-year-old is a tremendous athlete who will be right at home in the chaos Fiji will look to unleash at Cardiff City Stadium this Saturday.
4. Ben Carter
The loss of Dafydd Jenkins is a hammer blow to Wales’ hopes this summer but Carter impressed when replacing Adam Beard during the Six Nations.
Carter is a workhorse who does much of the unseen dirty work which allows others to shine.
The Dragons lock is also in charge of calling Wales’ lineout which has improved dramatically in recent times.
3. Dillon Lewis
Wales’ scrum struggled against the Barbarians but Lewis’ significant experience will likely win him the nod to pack down at tighthead against Fiji.
But there will be a big onus on the 30-year-old to lock down Wales’ scrum this Saturday.
Lewis is a prop who gets through a lot of work around the park and is very effective at the breakdown.
2. Dewi Lake (Captain)
Lake will captain the side this Saturday after another strong showing against the Barbarians.
The 26-year-old is a very powerful carrier who regularly makes post-contact metres and is also strong at the breakdown.
Wales’ lineout has also improved drastically in recent times and that is a credit to Lake.
1. Rhys Carré
It would be a big surprise if Tandy did not select Carré to start against Fiji on Saturday.
Carré is arguably the strongest carrier in the Wales squad and the challenge for the Saracens man is to continue where he left off in the Six Nations.
The 28-year-old is an X-factor player capable of doing what other props can’t.
Replacements
16. Ryan Elias
The experienced Scarlets hooker brings a lot of power and is a strong scrummager.
17. Nicky Smith
While Carré won all the plaudits Smith was excellent off the bench during the Six Nations and will have a big role to play this month.
The 32-year-old is a very destructive scrummager.
18. Ben Warren
The Ospreys prop could be in line to win his first cap this weekend.
Warren is a big man and the scrum improved when the 26-year-old entered the fray against the Barbarians.
19. Adam Beard
The 30-year-old arrived in camp this weekend after Montpellier’s Top 14 final defeat to Toulouse.
Beard’s experience and power will be important this summer.
20. James Botham
The Cardiff backrower impressed during the Six Nations and the fact he can cover the entire backrow is an important string to his bow.
21. Kieran Hardy
The Ospreys number nine played very well against the Barbarians, scoring a try and creating two others.
22. Sam Costelow
The Scarlets playmaker played his best game for Wales against Scotland during the Six Nations before injuring his shoulder and will be desperate to win back the number 10 jersey.
23. Mason Grady
Wales will need Grady to make a big impact from the bench.
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