Tag: rugby

• My Wales Squad Reaction & Japan Preview – Autumn Nations Championship 2026

  My Wales Squad Reaction & Japan Preview –

  Autumn Nations Championship 2026

  A new campaign is starting, and Tandy has named a bigger-than-expected 39-man squad to take on Japan, New Zealand, and Australia at the Principality. Overall, a fairly conservative selection, with the majority of players being retained from the Nations Championship selection but with the addition of 3 uncapped players and some key returners. Let’s dive into it

  Props:

  At loosehead Rhys Carré and Nicky Smith unsurprisingly get in, despite the Carré not having played for Saracens yet this season, showing his value to the squad. With Wales’ setpiece slowly improving, both are likely to play if fit, as the former remains one of their best carrying options and the latter is their best scrummager.

  Gareth Thomas, meanwhile, is retained in the squad as the third-choice loosehead, as a balance between the two in terms of skillset. His workrate and scrum ability are powerful, though if he is to keep his place for the World Cup he’ll likely need to tighten up his performances, as he’s become more inconsistent than usual. Rhys Barratt is also added as cover, given Carré and placement in England along with Smith. He could also be an effective bench option with his carrying ability, though will maybe need to train his scrummaging before he becomes an international regular.

  At tighthead, Tomas Francis and Archie Griffin return, and it wouldn’t be too surprising if they are who makes the 23 given their past exploits for Wales. Francis looks right at home in Sale’s powerful scrum, while Griffin has enjoyed a lot more minutes at Bath with the departure of Thomas du Toit and hasn’t looked out of place. The latter’s youth is backed by his greater dynamism and workrate around the park; the tighthead foil to Carré where Francis is to Nicky Smith. Dillon Lewis gets in ahead of Ben Warren as the probable third-choice, though his experience and summer form could yet win him a space in the 23.

  Wales’ scrum has been a weakness in the past, but under Paul James’ guidance, it seems to be going in the right direction.

  Hookers:

  Dewi Lake and Ryan Elias continue their partnership, with Lake leading his new home to the top of the PREM while Elias carries a struggling Scarlets pack. Both are comfortable pushing through defenders and landing dominant tackles, and if Wales seek a physical advantage, they’ll be valuable members of the front five, especially with Lake retaining his captaincy from the summer.

  Elliot Dee is very unlucky to miss out, though. The most experienced option, Dee has been instrumental to the Dragons’ strong season start and is playing some of his best rugby ever, but Tandy has left him out in favour of the more dynamic Liam Belcher. Belcher is still clearly 3rd choice, but perhaps Tandy feels his workrate and work over the ball makes him the more effective bench option.

  Locks:

  Dafydd Jenkins returns having missed the summer tour, and he’ll be ready to pick up where he left off with Ben Carter partnering him in the second row. Both are tackle machines who bring considerable power to the setpiece, with Carter eclipsing the experienced Adam Beard in his lineout management and more visible impact on proceedings. Beard still makes it in, though, as tighthead locks with his experience are a rarity in Wales, although Rhys Davies would’ve been nice to see for his different skillset.

  Teddy Williams stays on too, as he’ll make a good bench player thanks to his athleticism and lineout-disrupting ability. He’s been great for Cardiff at the beginning of the season, and fits in just as comfortably when given the opportunity for Wales. Seb Davies, however, is more of a surprise, though there’s always one with Tandy so far. Seb has played well with Ben Carter at Dragons, is a good helping hand with the lineout, and is more than physical enough on defence for Test rugby. His ability to cover 6 is also helpful, and presumably his experience and consistency gives him the edge over Freddie Thomas.

  Back Row:

  Jac and Waino were obvious shoo-ins, and should start every game. Mann and Botham would also be the favourites to complete the team at 6, with their powerful tackling and endless workrate making them great compliments to Morgan and Wainwright’s own strengths.

  From there, Taine Basham has been rewarded for his great form for Cardiff this season and last, with his ability to take ownership of his team’s attacking momentum and past international experience being key benefits. Kane James is another similar player who could bring dynamism off the bench, and looks to have the makings of a world-class back rower later down the line. Lastly, Taine Plumtree rounds out the team with his versatility, large frame, and dynamic physicality on both sides of the ball, though given he’s headed to South Africa with the Scarlets, he may not be high up Tandy’s pecking order.

  Tommy Reffell’s injury was unfortunately timed, and he may have made it in ahead of Plumtree or James, though when he returns he’s the kind of player who has little trouble being dropped into a test match. Tandy also made special mention of Taulupe Faletau; he sees him as an option for the World Cup, though resting him for the time being is the smart move given his injury record of late.

  Scrum-Halfs:

  Tomos Williams will start for the same reason he’s playing 70 minutes of most matches; he’s a world-class scrum-half and is instrumental to Wales’ game management. However, their over-reliance on him could prove costly at the World Cup. Still, Reuben Morgan-Williams should make a good deputy in Kieran Hardy’s absence. He’s more of an aggressive 9, able to snipe for opportunities around the ruck while still maintaining a solid kicking game to suit Wales’ structure.

  Che Hope’s inclusion makes me very happy, though. Of the two backups, he seems the more likely to usurp Williams’ 9 jersey before the World Cup, which is a bold prospect, but if you’ve seen him play for Dragons, it makes sense. He plays with a similar forward-thinking mindset as Morgan-Williams, but at an even quicker pace and with a level of maturity not often seen from young 9s. He’s unlikely to get too much gametime, but is he beats RMW on the race to the 21 jersey, it could be fun to watch.

  Fly-Halfs:

  Not much to talk about; Edwards vs Costelow is the ongoing battle, with the confident and ambitious but occasionally overpowered Ospreys playmaker against the talented and controlled but sometimes timid Scarlets conductor. Joe Hawkins as a third-choice is interesting, as he seems to see himself as a 10 more than a 12 nowadays despite his persistent partnership with Eddie James in the centres, though this versatility seems to have given him the edge over Callum Sheedy.

  Centres:

  Eddie James is due to start, but who partners him will be the mystery, as will the jersey he wears on his back. Apparently Tandy sees him as a 13 more than a 12; I think he’s a better 12, but he’s Wales’ best option in either jersey either way. If he stays at 13, Joe Hawkins would be the bookies’ favourite, as their partnership was less dysfunctional and more unfulfilled in potential. However, with his form for Dragons, stronger defensive ability, and no-nonsense playstyle, I’d rather see Aneurin Owen at 12 than the less-assured Hawkins. The Scarlets man will still be in the mix for the World Cup, but he needs to sort out what he wants to be and focus on those strengths.

  If James moves to 13, Max Llewellyn or Louie Hennessey are the options, though Owen is similarly comfortable as a 13. Both are large and powerful but agile centres, focusing on breaking lines rather than punching down walls and using their physicality to escape tackles. Llewellyn is the more assured option, with his international experience and more locked-in starting spot at Gloucester, though several former players have taken note of Hennessey’s potential to be a world-class 13. He’s sure to be more involved with Wales by next World Cup cycle, the question is whether or not now is too soon, especially as he remains injured and hasn’t yet played for Bath this season.

  Wingers:

  A similar toss-up. Louis Rees-Zammit is the only one who looks a sure bet to start; having moved back to the wing full-time, his world-class pace makes him a constant threat, and he has all the physical and aerial skills to compete in the modern game. With Wales in need of more sheer speed and cutting edge out wide, his place looks the most secure.

  So far, Josh Adams has started the majority of tests, and while he probably has the most rounded skillset, his recent return from injury and slower pace makes a good case for others to start in his place, especially with Wales’ depth at wing. Ellis Mee and Rio Dyer would be frontrunners for me; the former having been a constant for Wales when not benched for Rees-Zammit, thanks to his ability to manage the aerial contest and smart decision making when under pressure, though his physicality on defence is sometimes lacking. Dyer is a good balance again; a bit more pace, smaller in frame but more than capable of defending his wing, and similarly solid under the high ball. He was the keystone of Wales’ effective kick-chase game a while back, and with Tandy’s appreciation for kick-focused play, he could merit a starting spot.

  Gabriel Hamer-Webb also makes the squad, though I’m less sold on his point-of-difference in this setup. He’s clearly an international class winger, but his aerial skills that are so valuable to Leicester aren’t a rarity for Wales. Should Tandy elect to give him another chance after the Six Nations, though, he’ll likely make the most of it given his form for the Tigers. A shame to see Macs Page miss out, though given he’s only recently broken through for Scarlets on the wing, Tandy has picked the more experienced and consistent threats out wide. Page’s time will surely come, given his X-factor, but he’ll need to maintain that consistency for a while longer.

  Fullbacks:

  Blair Murray may not be the most solid under the high ball, but given Wales’ reliance on the kicking game, his excellent early-season form, and his unmatched agility, he’s the favourite to start against Japan. After that though, New Zealand and Australia have been looking for ways to improve their aerial dominance following defeats to the Springboks, so the more aerially-assured Tom Rogers will push for the jersey instead.

  Though he’s only started there once so far for Ospreys, he won PotM when he did so, and given his existing international-level talents, there isn’t much case he couldn’t be just as effective in a Wales 15 jersey. Tandy has said he’s being “open-minded” on his best position, but given he was dropped for Mason Grady in the summer and the more in-form Macs Page has missed out, fullback seems the more likely jersey for Rogers.

  My Starting XV for Japan

  1. Rhys Carré
  2. Dewi Lake
  3. Tomas Francis
  4. Dafydd Jenkins
  5. Ben Carter
  6. Alex Mann
  7. Jac Morgan
  8. Aaron Wainwright
  9. Tomos Williams
  10. Sam Costelow
  11. Rio Dyer
  12. Aneurin Owen
  13. Eddie James
  14. Louis Rees-Zammit
  15. Blair Murray

  BENCH

  16. Ryan Elias
  17. Nicky Smith
  18. Archie Griffin
  19. Teddy Williams
  20. Taine Basham
  21. Che Hope
  22. Dan Edwards
  23. Max Llewellyn

  Japan is the must-win game; Wales have beaten Italy and Fiji so far this calendar year, and Japan is the only other similar-strength opponent left. Wales won the same fixture last year, but it was a clumsy game neither side really “earned”. While Wales have certainly improved since then, their opponents have done the same, developing a clinical and fast-paced style of rugby that has also earned them wins against Italy and Fiji, though the closer nature of those victories compared to Wales is cause for some optimism. It wouldn’t be a shock loss, but one Tandy can’t much afford one year on from his appointment.

  As for the forwards, Wales have the power to claim the setpiece advantage, though Rhys Carré’s injury problems might mean Rhys Barratt comes off the bench instead. Mann, Jenkins, and Carter are three very active tackle machines to take on a fast-moving team (though Botham could slot in as well) to pair with Jac Morgan in limiting opposing possession. However, the lineout will be a mighty weapon for Wales even more so, with Dewi Lake leading the driving maul and Aaron Wainwright being very difficult to stop at the back. Taine Basham can also fit into Wainwright’s jersey late game, or force him to the 6 jersey to provide an even more dynamic carrying option late game.

  In the backs, I’ve chosen to respect Tandy’s plan to have Eddie James wear 13, though I’ve brought in Aneurin Owen for some more defensive workrate. Rio Dyer also comes in on the wing, though it’s a 50/50 between him and Ellis Mee. I think Dyer is more helpful for those defensive interventions against players like Ishida and Ueda, though they’re both solid in the air. Murray keeps his fullback jersey for now due to his counterattack potential, though he’ll probably lose it the week after. Costelow’s starting spot depends on his fitness; he’s being rested for now, but while he’s started the season in stronger form, Edwards rarely disappoints when called upon.

  Wales can’t play at Japan’s pace; if they try to, they’ll be overwhelmed. This team is designed to wear them down and outwork them to regain possession and overpower them. Tandy is likely to try something similar given how well similar tactics worked last year, but they’ll need to be a lot more clinical if they are to record a second victory.

  2026.10.21

• My Wales Squad for the Autumn – Nations Championship 2026

  My Wales Squad for the Autumn – Nations Championship 2026

  While Wales have been progressively improving under Steve Tandy over the past year, there was a sense that progress had stalled somewhat towards the end of the first block of Nations Championship fixtures. Tandy has shown to be a methodical coach who progressively implements smaller changes over multiple campaigns rather than someone prone to radical shifts, which is helpful given the unstable nature of Welsh rugby, but it’s possible that ahead of the World Cup, big conversations will need to be had to see if Wales’ current trajectory curves upwards steeply enough.

  To close out 2026, Wales have three home fixtures against Japan, New Zealand, and Australia. The first fixture is the one Wales will mostly target, as their wins over Italy and Fiji earlier in the year set them up to be a worthy opponent to a Wales side that has done the same, while New Zealand and Australia are likely to be measuring sticks to show Wales’ progress from 2025 and 2024, respectively.

  To take on these three teams, I’ve selected the squad I would pick to build upon Wales’ established strengths and take them in the right direction towards the tournament in Australia next year.

  Props:

  Rhys Carré and Nicky Smith are two of Wales’ more important players, so they’re a shoo-in despite the former having not played a game for Saracens yet. Injuries forbidding, they’re the two looseheads in whatever combination Tandy deems fitting.

  This leaves the third-choice up for discussion; Gareth Thomas has been a staple since the last World Cup, but his shaky form at international level as of late combined with fairly underwhelming club showings make it questionable if his inclusion is the best move. Meanwhile, though he has yet to start a match, Rhys Barratt has been fairly solid for Cardiff off the bench; he brings a similar defensive energy to Thomas, and has handled himself well in the scrum against Leinster’s Thomas Clarkson, an international tighthead and fairly big unit. Even if he fails to make the 23, he’ll be crucial to Wales’ prop depth after the World Cup. Steffan Thomas and Danny Southworth could be other options, but Barratt offers the best balance with the aforementioned players.

  At tighthead, Tomas Francis returns following a fairly solid start to life in Sale, and should bolster Wales’ already slowly improving scrum. Dillon Lewis also enjoyed a fairly nice summer, though with the Dragons’ injury roulette at tighthead he’ll want some gametime beforehand. Kieron Assiratti remains injured, so that leaves Ospreys’ Ben Warren and the newly returning Archie Griffin at Bath, who’s enjoying a lot more gametime than usual and has looked very comfortable. While Warren enjoyed a solid summer, he’s had a tougher time finding minutes so far and doesn’t look as close to his best form.

  My Choices: Rhys Carré, Nicky Smith, Rhys Barratt, Tomas Francis, Dillon Lewis, Archie Griffin

  Injury Cover: Gareth Thomas, Ben Warren

  Hookers:

  Dewi Lake will likely be captain, and with his form for Gloucester he may be even stronger than before. Ryan Elias is a likely deputy, as the only member of the Scarlets pack worth mentioning. Having those two massive physical presences in the front row will be a stern challenge to most sides, but it’ll be a necessity against the All Blacks’ and Wallabies’ hookers.

  Third choice presents a similar conundrum to loosehead; Elliot Dee is the league’s top try scorer and needless to say is in excellent form, with the Dragons’ utilisation of the driving maul being a tactic Wales is very used to. Meanwhile, Cardiff offer more dynamic alternatives in the form of Liam Belcher and Evan Lloyd, with the latter impressing in a bench role and providing extra utility as backrow cover. Unlike at loosehead, though, the younger options will likely sit this one out.

  My Choices: Dewi Lake, Ryan Elias, Elliot Dee

  Injury Cover: Evan Lloyd

  Locks:

  Dafydd Jenkins returns, and will have been missed greatly after his absence in the autumn. His partnership with Ben Carter is due to continue, as the two are in great form and give the Welsh pack a great defensive engine and high-quality lineout. Teddy Williams is likely to come off the bench, as arguably the more in-form lock of the three, giving a more athletic carrying threat late-game.

  From here, another bulky, tighthead lock would be great as backup to Carter. Adam Beard looks to be doing ok in France, though he’s lagging in minutes and doesn’t seem to have much point of difference in Wales at the moment beyond his experience. Rhys Davies, however, has started in good form despite being relegated to a bench role in the first two games of the season. His stronger carries and work over the ball could make him a valuable foil to the other three.

  My Choices: Dafydd Jenkins, Ben Carter, Teddy Williams, Rhys Davies

  Injury Cover: Adam Beard, Seb Davies

  Back-Row:

  Jac Morgan, Aaron Wainwright, Alex Mann, and James Botham are sure-fire callups, with all four in great form at club and international levels. They’ll likely all be in the World Cup squad in a year’s time, so until then the job is finding players who balance out their strengths and can back them up. This creates an issue for Wales’ solid 7 stocks in Tommy Reffell and Josh Macleod, who are great players but lack the versatility and physicality of Morgan and Botham.

  For the blindside cover, Ryan Woodman has been hit with a very unfortunately timed injury, which is a shame as I would seriously consider him ahead of the World Cup. Taine Plumtree is the most likely call up, though he’s missed a lot of time with injury and seems to have lost some dynamism and workrate, so resting him would be a fair call. Wainwright has played the majority of his rugby at 6 for Leicester so far this season, but Freddie Thomas makes more sense as a Woodman replacement with his size, lineout skills, and aggressive approach.

  Should Wainwright move to 6, two extra 8s will be needed. One is pretty locked in; Taine Basham is arguably the form player in Wales so far, with his more dynamic carrying style differentiating himself from Wainwright. He could keep Kane James out on his own, though the latter will certainly be involved post-World Cup. Finally, Morgan Morse deserves a second look-in ahead of the World Cup; his larger size and senior experience give him the edge over James, as both are shaping up to be great successors for Wainwright and Faletau.

  My Choices: Jac Morgan, Aaron Wainwright, Alex Mann, James Botham, Freddie Thomas, Taine Basham, Morgan Morse

  Injury Cover: Taine Plumtree, Tommy Reffell, Kane James

  Scrum-Half:

  Tomos Williams is playing 70-odd minutes of most games, though it’d help to develop options to succeed him after the World Cup. Kieran Hardy’s injury leaves a space open on the bench, which Reuben Morgan-Williams will likely take given his tendency for effective bench impact and his ability to cover out wide when necessary.

  As for the remaining space, it should be Che Hope’s time to shine after injury took him out of the previous two campaigns. He’s picked up where he left off for Dragons and will likely be their starting 9 in due time, which is good news as Wales lack a real succession plan and Hope is far better than the other options his age.

  My Choices: Tomos Williams, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Che Hope

  Injury Cover: Dane Blacker

  Fly-Half:

  To keep it brief, Dan Edwards and Sam Costelow will be retained as Wales will want to build towards the World Cup and beyond with those two in mind. Costelow is generally in the better form for the two at club level, though Edwards always steps up when it counts most. Callum Sheedy has impressed for Cardiff and has moved ahead of Jarrod Evans, and there’s some drop-off after that.

  Two picks is a bit light, but with only three games to play, a third option would be unlikely to see gametime.

  My Choices: Dan Edwards, Sam Costelow

  Injury Cover: Callum Sheedy

  Centres:

  Hoo boy. Eddie James’ locked down starting spot aside, Wales’ existing structure in the midfield looks to be falling apart. Ben Thomas is injured, Hawkins is stuck in an identity crisis of where to play, and no-one is really sure how to adapt from Matt Sheratt’s existing comfort zone. To keep his job as attack coach, he’ll need to translate his knowledge to a different structure.

  Eddie is an exceptional carrying option, but this was generally underutilised as a 13 after the Six Nations. Switching to 12 makes sense to give him more opportunity with ball-in-hand, while his defence skills should help cover up one of Wales’ persistent weaknesses; their squishy midfield. Max Llewellyn, as the second-choice 13 for the better part of a year when not injured, makes the most sense as a partner; he has the physicality, defensive consistency, and agility to make a good foil.

  The secondary choices are a little tougher again; Joe Roberts is the only 13 who hasn’t had any injury problems, and his pace and agility make him a good finishing option. His indiscipline holds him back, but he shouldn’t have too much trouble fitting in. Owen Watkin has looked good since coming back from injury, but has yet to really shine either.

  As for the 12 cover, I think it’s better to rest Hawkins to let him re-find his flow and give someone else a shout. Kieran Williams remains in good form for Ospreys, while Bryn Bradley still looks fairly green at pro level. Johnny Williams has also found it hard to get gametime despite probably being the most similar to James. Aneurin Owen looks to be in the best form of the group, though, with his excellent workrate and distribution being key assets to the Dragons.

  My Choices: Eddie James, Max Llewellyn, Joe Roberts, Aneurin Owen

  Injury Cover: Kieran Williams, Owen Watkin

  Wingers:

  As per usual, international-grade wingers will miss out here. It’ll only get worse at the World Cup, with only 3 likely to make the cut along with the fullback cover. Still, it would be a far-fetched call to expect Louis Rees-Zammit not to be there; the only one close to being world-class, and he looks to have found something of his best rugby at the start of the season. Josh Adams is a bit less lucky; he’s been sidelined with injury for the season so far, and while always a reliable player for Wales it’s been argued he doesn’t offer enough pace and agility out wide right now. It might be better to rest him to fully recover so that he remains in best form for the World Cup.

  I’ve been wanting to see Rio Dyer partnering Rees-Zammit on the wings, and he appears to be one of the in-form options despite not scoring a try yet. He’s beating more defenders than most, is more than willing to bring a physical edge that Ellis Mee tends to struggle with, and is solid under the high ball. Mee will still make it in though, especially with his performance against Benetton. He’s only getting more comfortable with this level of rugby, even if he ends up dropping down the pecking order a little.

  For the final pick, Gabriel Hamer-Webb has fit right in among Leicester’s elite wingers, but I wouldn’t say he’s quite first-choice. That wouldn’t count against him normally, but he doesn’t seem to have a point-of-difference at international level. Mason Grady continues to excel in parts, but isn’t the most clinical player beyond his physicality, which counts against him when Wales are struggling for opportunities out wide.

  For his even stronger early season form, Macs Page earns my pick, as he’s only gotten better from his breakthrough two years ago and has tightened up his defensive limitations. His kicking game and agility could put some elite teams under pressure, while his versatility is another edge. He’ll need to do more to make the World Cup squad, but an international call-up feels inevitable.

  My Choices: Louis Rees-Zammit, Rio Dyer, Ellis Mee, Macs Page

  Injury Cover: Josh Adams, Gabriel Hamer-Webb

  Fullbacks:

  The OTHER problem position. While tighthead lacks quality depth and the centres are more of a balancing act, fullback is a little simpler due to the limited experienced options. Rees-Zammit has committed to the wing and played well there, so he’ll be an emergency pick at best. This will likely see Blair Murray retained for at least Japan, though with his early-season form and exceptional attacking skills there are worse situations to be in.

  However, he may not be the best solution long-term given his aerial and physical weaknesses. With Cam Winnett injured, the other two region’s fullbacks will push for a spot. Tom Rogers moved to Swansea to play fullback, and while his start on the wing was underwhelming, he really clicked in the 15 jersey against Dragons. His aerial skills remain as strong as ever, while his kicking game looked equally effective at putting pressure on. Anyone watching that game would be excited to see if he could bring that to the international game, as he has proven talents at that level.

  Angus O’Brien’s advantages, meanwhile, revolve around his leadership and kicking game. Rogers is good for chip-kicks and chases, but O’Brien can win space under pressure with total ease and is a safe pair of hands (feet?) at the tee. He’s someone who can steer the backline regardless of whether or not his team is on the back foot. However, he has been limited to the one bench appearance so far this season with injury, with the less experienced Huw Anderson taking his place and doing quite well.

  Ultimately, Rogers’ current form and international experience wins out, though the picture could look very different by the World Cup.

  My Choices: Blair Murray, Tom Rogers

  Injury Cover: Angus O’Brien

  Provisional Starting Team vs Japan

  1. Rhys Carré
  2. Dewi Lake
  3. Tomas Francis
  4. Dafydd Jenkins
  5. Ben Carter
  6. Alex Mann
  7. Jac Morgan
  8. Aaron Wainwright
  9. Tomos Williams
  10. Sam Costelow
  11. Rio Dyer
  12. Eddie James
  13. Max Llewellyn
  14. Louis Rees-Zammit
  15. Blair Murray

  BENCH

  16. Ryan Elias
  17. Nicky Smith
  18. Dillon Lewis
  19. Teddy Williams
  20. Taine Basham
  21. Reuben Morgan-Williams
  22. Dan Edwards
  23. Macs Page

  2026.10.18

• PREM Rugby Predictions – 2026-27

  PREM Rugby Predictions – 2026-27

  The newest season of the Gallagher PREM looks to be the most competitive one yet. With Newcastle Red Bulls gaining momentum from an almost entirely new team, mid-level teams making top-tier signings, and elite sides being somewhat depowered, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect the end-of-season table to look completely different to seasons past. Based on how improved or weakened each side has become, on top of other factors, I’ve tried to predict how I think the season will go.

  10th: Newcastle Red Bulls

  Newcastle are likely to be much stronger than last season. Gone are the relative whipping boys of the PREM to be replaced with a team built around fast, free-flowing rugby. They have acquired one of the best backlines in the league, with Chris Harris, Josh Hodge, Raffi Quirke, Werner Kok, and Fehi Fineanganofo (maybe). With their relatively strong forward pack helping them out, they should be a force capable of pressuring the PREM’s elite sides at home. Then again, while Red Bull’s disruption factor is likely to create problems, that same disruption creates an obvious problem; this is their first season together, against sides that regularly go far into Europe and have their own international-quality strengths. This lack of cohesion leaves them somewhere near the bottom; the safest bet for the new team’s placement being last.

  9th: Harlequins

  Quins aren’t beating Newcastle by much, but their more subtle improvements give them the edge. While their player signings are limited primarily to George Furbank and some front-row reinforcements, their backroom staff looks to be the real deal and is equipped to get the team playing their speedy style of rugby. Marcus Smith and George Furbank are also two of the league’s strongest players already, so they have a strong foundation to build from. Still, their lack of depth and consistency might be their downfall; they have no clear replacement for Smith at 10, hurting their value when international duty becomes a factor, and with how many teams found them out last year, massive improvements aren’t likely enough to bring them off the floor. 

  8th: Bristol Bears

  At their best, Bristol are a very strong side. They have one of the strongest attacks in the league, able to score with ball-in-hand from just about anywhere on the field. Compared to the two sides beneath them, they’re far more likely to make playoffs given their more consistent win record against top sides, even if most of them come at Ashton Gate. There’s a key issue being omitted, however; Bristol are one of the strongest teams at full strength, and their injury problems and weak depth always hold them back when their top-tier personnel depletes. Players like Gabriel Oghre, Louis Rees-Zammit, and Kalaveti Ravouvou can rack up a lot of tries, but with key man Benhard Janse van Rensburg looking to be a part of the England setup, and a lot of experienced or mid-level options dropping out in between seasons, that lack of depth will only carry them so far. They looked to be petering out by the end of last season, and it’s possible we see a regression unless they can improve the more pragmatic side of their game.

  7th: Gloucester

  Gloucester are rarely too strong, and the loss of their best player to Saracens isn’t going to add confidence to a side that rarely has much. Still, they’re only behind Sale and Newcastle for impressive signings. Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake bring world-class defensive work and should help bolster Gloucester’s fundamentals, while Dan Robson’s experience in France should help keep their attack working. They’ll need to shy away from the free-flowing style they’ve attempted to play in recent seasons, as their backline just isn’t up to the standard of Bristol or Northampton, but otherwise this pack could carry them far in phase play. Compared to the higher-ranked sides, though, Gloucester aren’t a fully-realised team. They’ve spent the past few years trying to find a playstyle that works, and have lost a lot of quality talent in the process.

  6th: Leicester Tigers

  From here, there’s a big jump in quality; I expect everyone from here on to be winning over half their games. Leicester look like the weak link, though; they’ve lost a lot of power and leadership, which should hamper their setpiece slightly. While still a well-balanced side, and the addition of Aaron Wainwright is a big boost to their carrying game, this is the second season in a row where they’ve generally lost more than they’ve gained. I expected them to land in a similar position last season, which didn’t materialise thanks to some players upping their game, but compared to the overall strengths of the teams above them, they’re the most likely to miss playoffs. They’re just a little too balanced; no clear weaknesses, but few overwhelming strengths.

  5th: Exeter

  A very close call between 5th and 4th, but Exeter just miss out. They should be slightly weaker than last season with Scott Sio and Len Ikitau’s departures, and while they’ve compensated for them well, bare in mind they only narrowly made playoffs last year, and were also fairly lucky to edge ahead of Bath. Not to downplay them, though; Exeter’s brute force approach will push even the strongest sides in the league, while Henry Slade and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are two of the competition’s strongest players. They don’t quite have the same depth across the board as the other teams, though, and with some concerning injuries already in pre-season, they might be pushed too far to replicate the success of last season.

  4th: Sale Sharks

  The second most improved side after Newcastle, which is doubly interesting since Sale were already strong despite their mediocre performance last year. Their reinforcements in the front row should give them an incredibly powerful scrum, and they’ve got the depth to back it up. Courtney Lawes is also a formidable presence wherever he plays, giving the pack an additional edge. However, Sale aren’t limited to physical domination; they now have enough pace and depth out wide to blitz teams who can manage their physicality, which should be a huge boost from last year where numbers ran short. While they’ll need to get accustomed to each other’s playstyles quickly, this feels like a team with multiple options to win games, and if Sanderson can manage them correctly, playoffs should be a realistic goal.

  3rd: Bath

  Bath won the league as the undisputed strongest, got even stronger thanks to some world-class signings last year, and then dropped the ball in the semis. Now, without du Toit and Barbeary, some kind of drop off might be expected, although they remain a well-balanced team. The return of Will Stuart is well-timed, with how many teams have bolstered their scrums, and their backs remain lethal at the finish. Compared to the remaining two sides, they have slightly fewer international commitments, but injuries seem to be a recurring issue for Bath, so their personnel might be tested regardless. Provided they can get the most of their backs, they shouldn’t have any trouble making playoffs, though their over reliance on power has held them back before.

  2nd: Saracens

  Saracens have been perpetual underachievers, having missed the playoffs two years in a row despite their high-quality players. With an aging first-team, they risk falling behind, but their breakthrough youngsters from last year and their excellent new signings should help. Barbeary and Martin provide exceptional power to what is a relatively lightweight pack, while Tomos Williams is one of the league’s best attacking organisers. Provided they can find a playstyle that takes advantage of their elite strengths, playoffs should be a given, though they’ve fallen flat before. They showed serious potential in parts last season, with some dominant performances, so if they can maintain consistency, they could be a real force to be reckoned with.

  1st: Northampton Saints

  Northampton are technically weaker than last season, given they’ve lost depth in key areas and are nowhere near the same team without their England internationals. That’s not likely to phase them much, though; they have some of the best players in the league across the board, and their fast-paced playstyle takes full advantage of that. With everyone fit, they shouldn’t have much problem reaching the top of the league and a home semi-final, though bolstering the power of their second-squad couldn’t hurt given their weak showings in pre-season. With an unmatched attack and the capability to make the most of it, another season at the top of the leagues is to be expected.

  Playoff Run:

  SEMIS

  Northampton vs Sale: This could be interesting, but Northampton are right now where Sale will aim to be in a year or two. Their elite players have more synergy, so as long as they hold off Sale’s pack, this should be their win.

  Saracens vs Bath: Another close call, as Europe last year proved. Sarries are improved while Bath are waning somewhat, though the difference between the Scottish fly-halves might decide it. Bath are generally more accustomed to success, and should know by this point how to make use of their best players, compared to the Sarries’ growing reliance on less experienced options.

  FINALS

  Northampton vs Bath: Weird that this is the first meeting of these teams in the playoffs in three years. Should be an even match, with neither side at their league-winning peak, but both with quality across the board. Ultimately, it could come down to attack power, and Northampton just have a lot more to throw at Bath than vice-versa.

  Champions: Northampton Saints

  Miscellaneous Predictions:

  Player of the Season: Fin Smith. Has been fairly unlucky not to win it yet, given how crucial he is to Northampton’s success, but putting down George Ford and Finn Russell on the road to the final should seal the deal.

  Top Try Scorer: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. A poor injury record might hold him back somewhat, but Feyi-Waboso is just too hard to stop from scoring. Exeter will be more used to winning games this year, so the boosted confidence will lead to more tries, many of which should be his.

  Signing of the Season: Dewi Lake. All of the Welsh signings could push for a spot, bias aside, but Lake is the kind of player who defines what Gloucester need if they are to push into the top half of the league; pure grit, defensive brilliance, and overwhelming power. Gaining captaincy before he’s played a match is a sign of the kind of impact he has on a team.

  Coach of the Season: Phil Dowson. Not much to say here; two back-to-back finals and championships should make it a no-brainer minus any breakthroughs.

  Breakthrough Player: Kepu Tuipulotu. Both England and Bath are a bit behind in terms of hookers, and Tom Dunn isn’t getting any younger. Kepu’s physicality and dynamism makes him a unique player who could be fun to watch while providing setpiece stability, and should be pushing for international honours if all goes well.

  2026.09.23

• URC Predictions – 2026-27 Season

  URC Predictions – 2026-27 Season

  With big names like Thomas du Toit, Cheslin Kolbe, Jamie Ritchie, and Ma’a Nonu all in the mix, this upcoming 2026-27 season of the United Rugby Championship looks to be hotly contested. While Leinster’s squad depth stands them in good stead to retain their title, there are plenty of teams who will look to challenge their space at the top or defeat their regional rivals. Let’s look at how I predict this season will go down. 

  16: Zebre Parma

  While Tommaso Allan should bring some backline control, it’s hard to see how Zebre will keep up this season. They’ve consistently been one of the weakest teams in the league, and despite their solid start last year, they couldn’t win a single game after round 1. They don’t have any clear weapons beyond some standout players like Gesi and Stavile, and it’s likely they’ll be the whipping boys this time around too given their lack of clear improvements. A lot of their nicer matchups last year are now away fixtures, which won’t help.

  15: Dragons RFC

  There’s a lot of optimism around this Dragons side, so I feel bad putting them this low. As of right now though, while Tiatia has their playstyle down to a tee, there just isn’t much quality in the current Dragons side to make the most of it, leaving them with few comfortable matchups this season. Given how well they pushed teams like Sharks and Benetton last year, and after the thrashing they gave Connacht, we could see a lot of the same, but there are a lot fewer comfortable home fixtures this time around. Still, they’re in a good spot off the pitch, which will help out tremendously were they to improve on last year.

  14: Edinburgh

  A team which is not having as much fun off-pitch, the re-signing of Sean Everitt and the lack of high-quality recruitments leaves Edinburgh in an awkward spot following what was a fairly difficult last season. While they managed to finish 12th, their performances didn’t reflect a team that was confident in their ambition to make the playoffs. James Grayson will bring some more stability at 10, but they feel like they’re going in reverse as a side. Their strong pack should help them out against the weaker teams, but they feel a mile off Glasgow in terms of depth and quality. With a lot of young Scottish talent, this could be a much stronger side in a few years time, but it’d be surprising if they were any better this year.

  13: Scarlets

  Also in a tough spot off the field, but compared to their rivals in Swansea, the Scarlets’ signings don’t really strike fear into mid-tier sides. The Scarlets are in something of an identity crisis, as their strong setpiece that got them into playoffs two years ago has largely vanished while their strong attack out wide has been marred by indiscipline. They’ve brought in the experienced Gareth Anscombe, who should help Costelow out with game management, but it seems they’re only a few bad injuries again from the team that capitulated last season. They certainly have the quality for playoffs, but their execution is unlikely to be consistent enough.

  12: Benetton Treviso

  Benetton’s placement is buoyed by their weak shield, but while they’ve taken steps to alleviate their poor depth, international commitments will likely crush them. A new coach should at least give them enough of a boost to escape the bottom 4, but losing Menoncello will be a big hit to their attacking power. They’ve got some big threats out wide with Lynagh and Ratave, and with their Italian internationals on hand they can do some impressive things. But on the other side of the ball, they’re not as consistent, and they only won a single game away from home to Zebre last year. A new coach is unlikely to fix all of that.

  11: Sharks

  Sharks are tough to call, given they have one of the strongest setpieces in the league and Thomas du Toit will only elevate their destructive power. Still, they have fairly weak depth, and really hate playing outside of South Africa. With the Lions’ rise, someone is likely to come last in the South African derbies, and the departures of Grant Williams, Siya Kolisi, and Aphelele Fassi won’t help. They can completely destroy some impressive teams in Durban, but compared to their playoff run two years ago, they aren’t consistent enough to feel like a safe playoff choice next to their rivals.

  10: Ospreys

  You’d think the loss of Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake would make the Ospreys fall off. And it’s entirely possible they will, but Mark Jones has recruited strongly to give them a fairly powerful squad overall. Rogers and Koroibete should give them more threats out wide, while they have signed Liam Wright to mitigate Morgan’s departure. Like the Sharks, though, their lack of consistency hits them hard. They’ll need to cause some upsets or lock down the Welsh Shield if they are to make playoffs, which isn’t out of their reach, but they’re just as likely to blunder would-be victories as they are to cause upsets.

  9: Munster

  This was tough, but Munster feel like a team in decline thanks to their poor off-field management. McMillan had a rough first season in charge despite Munster’s strong start to the year, but it felt like they crawled into their playoff space and they certainly weren’t a dominant force. With Crowley being injured until the new year and their departures on the wing, their attack could face some real problems, as Thomond Park isn’t the fortress it once was. The old Munster side that was one of the toughest in Europe is in there somewhere, but they may need a sterner wake-up call before that happens.

  8: Cardiff

  Cardiff and Ospreys’ placement will probably come down to the Welsh Shield results, but while the Ospreys may end up weaker without Jac and Dewi, Cardiff look to be on the rise. Jarrod Evans’ return and Daniel Bowden’s appointment should upgrade their attack, which held them back a lot last year as they rely on defensive struggles to close out games. They do have some excellent power out wide, but haven’t been able to make the most of it in past seasons; should they do so, playoffs will feel like less of a fluke than last year, where they finished with a -19 differential. They’re also very reliant on home fixtures, but they still have some winnable away matchups to target.

  7: Lions

  Like Cardiff, the Lions are very reliant on home fixtures, but they score far more points than the former. Chris Smith has been the driving force of a progressively improving Johannesburg team, best shown by their far better performance against the touring All Blacks in pre-season than their rivals. New signings like Boan Venter, Dan Kasende, and Boeta Chamberlain should give them sufficient depth and quality  to make the playoffs a second time, though it may take an away win or two to get there depending on whether they can replicate their derby day performances. They certainly don’t feel like the weakest South African side anymore.

  6: Ulster

  A young but quickly developing squad, Ulster were unlucky to miss playoffs last year, but should be even stronger this year. While their improved form has resulted in them being more affected by the international periods, their attack should be more than enough to carry them. Being in the Challenge Cup should make it easier to manage the workload of their players, too. While Ravenhill’s status as a fortress was tested last year, the team can travel well and should pick up more than enough wins to make it, provided they do reasonably well in the Irish derbies.

  5: Bulls

  Their departures will sting a lot, as they are unlikely to stay the dominant force of previous seasons. Players like Nortje, Arendse, and especially Wilco Louw gave the Bulls unmatched quality across the board. By contrast, while Hanro Liebenberg and Thaakir Abrahams look like great signings, their incomings don’t match the quality of their outgoings, which is concerning given their up-and-down performance last season. Still, the Bulls possess one of the strongest setpieces in the league, and should have no trouble making playoffs thanks to their unmatched physicality. They may need some time to re-gel before they can contend for the title again, though.

  4: Connacht

  Connacht are becoming really scary. Stuart Lancaster managed to take a team near the bottom of the league and turn them into a force capable of beating anyone; their victory over Stormers in Cape Town is unlikely to be a one-off. With the team in a much stronger place than they were this time last year, this doesn’t seem like an unrealistic placement for the end of the season. However, Champions Cup rugby and the loss of players to international selection gives Lancaster some new problems to contend with, and it’s unclear how they’ll adapt with their relatively weaker depth. Ciaran Frawley and the returning Mack Hansen should make them an even stronger side than last season, though, so I’m excited to see them at their best.

  3: Leinster

  Leinster have been the dominant force of the league two years in a row, despite their shaky start after the Lions tour. However, they look like a slightly weaker squad now. There are no Jordies or Ioanes from New Zealand, while they also haven’t signed a backup to Jamison Gibson-Park after Luke McGrath’s departure. This might make them weaker in the mid-season when they lack their international players, not helped by Connacht and Ulster’s improvements challenging them for the Irish Shield. Still, they’re Leinster. They should be in no risk of missing playoffs or a home quarter-final, and a third successive championship isn’t unlikely either.

  2: Glasgow Warriors

  Glasgow have lost Huw Jones and Jack Dempsey, which should be concerning, but with how well Stafford McDowall played last year and Jamie Ritchie signing on, they likely won’t be a worse side for it. They have solid depth across the board, even with their international contributions, and they compete with Europe’s best at full strength, so they’re certainly eyeing some silverware. Their fast, free-flowing attack will give everyone headaches, and Scotstoun is one of the toughest away fixtures one can play. 

  1: Stormers

  With only three signings, Stormers have established that they are ready to aim for that home final. Louw, Kolisi, and Kolbe are world-class Springboks who should elevate an already strong Stormers side who were unlucky to miss finals the year before. There’s a great mix of experience and youth, able to mix a powerful and destructive setpiece with free-flowing attack seamlessly, allowing them to tweak their game depending on the opponent. They’ll face strong competition from their rivals in the South African derbies, but they look to have the strongest team of the four, and their depth won’t be challenged by this being a World Cup year.

  Playoff Run:

  QUARTERS

  Stormers vs Cardiff: Same as last season; Cardiff may be improved, but the Stormers are on another level, especially at home.

  Glasgow vs Lions: In Johannesburg, this could be an interesting result. In Scotstoun, it shouldn’t be much of a contest. Glasgow’s attack is a lot scarier than the Lions’.

  Leinster vs Ulster: This would be an exciting quarter final, and a real grudge match. With their Ireland internationals, Leinster shouldn’t blunder this, but they may end up working for it.

  Connacht vs Bulls: Dead even, could go either way depending on who shows up. With the improvements made to their setpiece and Lancaster’s structure, Connacht should just pull away from them at home.

  SEMIS

  Stormers vs Connacht: Connacht won here last year, so they’ll fancy their chances. They certainly aren’t to be written off, but they’ve come far enough. Stormers have more to lose, and would be desperate for another final.

  Glasgow vs Leinster: This is another fixture that tends to be decided by the home team. However, Leinster are a finals regular, while Glasgow fumbled to Bulls last year at home, so it’s anyone’s game. With their internationals available, Leinster might just clutch.

  FINAL

  Stormers vs Leinster: Can the Stormers upset Leinster’s win streak? It may depend on fine margins. With their new signings, Stormers have more than enough quality to challenge Leinster’s gameplan, and someone’s going to make Leinster bottle a final eventually, so I’d bank on the home team.

  Champions: Stormers

  Miscellaneous Predictions

  Player of the Season: Paul de Villiers. He only seems to be getting better, and with Kolisi alongside him as a mentor on both the club and international stages, he’ll be crucial to Stormers’ playoff chances.

  Impact Signing: Ciaran Frawley. He brings some real quality at 10 for Connacht, who will need it if they are to compete with the top sides and their world-class 10s. He may not take over kicking duties from Sam Gilbert, but he’s more than capable of scoring clutch drop goals when needed.

  Breakthrough Player: Jamie Benson. He could probably also go on impact signings, but with Ulster’s fairly mediocre 10 stocks, he’s primed for a great season. Stuck behind Marcus Smith, but still a great attacking force at Harlequins, he should add a net positive to Ulster’s attack.

  Coach of the Season: Stuart Lancaster. Connacht are likely to be even better this season, and with a second year to shape the side, his experience combined with their new signings should give them plenty of ways to win.

  2026.09.13

• Ospreys Depth Ranking & Preview – URC 2026-27

  Ospreys Depth Ranking & Preview – URC 2026-27

  While they enjoyed a relatively strong season in terms of performance, it’s fair to say the Ospreys have not had the most stable year. Facing two back-to-back extinction threats as the WRU look to rebuild Welsh Rugby, the Ospreys have nonetheless managed to fend off the obvious baggage that comes with such a situation to claim the Welsh Shield and put in an admirable, if not extraordinary, showing.

  This year will be an even greater trial by fire, as the loss of two of Welsh Rugby’s few world-class talents in Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake will leave the Neath-Swansea squad with a serious rebuild on their hands. Jack Walsh’s departure also depletes their secondary leadership options, with Sam Parry and Owen Watkin now commanding a new-look Ospreys side at a new-look St. Helens ground. Still, given their less-than-desirable circumstances, they’ve recruited well to give themselves a line-of-sight at the playoffs.

  Loosehead Prop: Gareth Thomas, Steffan Thomas, Garyn Phillips, Cam Jones

  The Ospreys generally place much more emphasis on their front-row than the other Welsh regions. It helps, then, that their props are some of the best in Wales. Gareth Thomas has struggled in recent campaigns, but is a seasoned Wales international with a fully loaded skillset, while his cousin Steffan really upped his game at scrumtime last season. Garyn Phillips and Cam Jones offer a bit more around the park, and could potentially develop into great internationals. 8.5/10

  Hooker: Sam Parry, Lewis Lloyd, Efan Daniel, Ethan Lewis

  Losing Lake is tough both on and off the pitch. Parry has generally done well in his absence, and his new captaincy shows his value to the team, though the younger duo of Lloyd and Daniel will want to up their game. Lloyd has looked promising so far, but the Ospreys’ lineout left much to be desired last season, so they’ve got some work to do here. 6.5/10

  Tighthead Prop: Tom Botha, Ben Warren, Rhys Henry, Kian Hire, Math Iorwerth-Scott

  For how poor Wales’ tighthead stocks have been in recent years, it’s wild that the Ospreys’ only capped tighthead has only just broken through. While the other regions like their props to do more work around the field, the Ospreys’ props, like veteran Botha and underrated Rhys Henry, are destructive scrummagers who earn far more scrum penalties than their rivals’ counterparts. Warren is more of an around the park option, but hasn’t looked out of place against international opposition, while Hire and Iorwerth-Scott look primed for breakthroughs at some point. 8.5/10

  Locks: Rhys Davies, Ryan Smith, Huw Owen-Sutton, Lewis Jones, Ben Roberts

  The lock stocks have taken a real hit, with Adam Beard and James Fender departing over the past two seasons. Luckily, Ryan Smith has really settled in over the past year, and has formed a solid partnership with Rhys Davies. But while James Ratti can cover the second row, there’s a considerable experience gulf after that, which could be an issue if Davies earns more Wales honours. 7/10

  Back Row: Harri Deaves, Ross Moriarty, Liam Wright, James Ratti, Morgan Morris, Morgan Morse, Gwilym Evans

  Jac Morgan may be irreplaceable, but the signing of Liam Wright should help lessen the blow to what is comfortably one of the Ospreys’ strongest areas. The Australian brings a similar workrate on both sides of the ball, offering an extra lineout option and leadership, and should become a staple of the backrow. Deaves also really upped his game last season, and should offer strong competition for the 7 jersey, while Morris and Morse give them depth at 8 too. With none of them being active in the Wales setup at the moment (despite being good enough), they should be available all season; a big boost relative to their opponents. 9/10

  Scrum-Half: Reuben Morgan-Williams, Kieran Hardy, Luke Davies, Harri Williams

  RMW and Hardy being two of the best scrum-halves in Wales is sort of a double-edged sword; while strong, they are both active in the Wales setup and while Davies is decent, a more powerful third option might have helped. Still, for the majority of the season, the Ospreys have two well-rounded threats who are just as comfortably sniping for opportunities as they are unlocking defences for their teammates. 7.5/10

  Fly-Half: Dan Edwards, Lawson Creighton, Harri Wilde

  Dan Edwards is one of the stronger fly-halves in the URC, but with Jack Walsh predominantly playing fullback, depth in the position has been an issue. Hopefully Creighton and Wilde will take the pressure off when Edwards is on international duty, though the former isn’t typically a goal-kicker. They play a more up-tempo game than the region’s other fly-halves, and Creighton should make a good substitute for Walsh’s playmaking if deployed at fullback. 7/10

  Centre: Kieran Williams, Owen Watkin, Laleki Foketi, Evardi Boshoff

  Foketi is a great signing who buffs what was otherwise a fairly shallow position for the Ospreys, though it’ll be interesting to see where he plays if Watkin is captain. Williams is a powerful carrying threat, and Boshoff’s defensive work makes him a good substitute for Watkin, so there’s plenty of options available here. Dan John can also cover as a playmaker, though they may not need him unless there are injuries. 8/10

  Wing: Keelan Giles, Marika Koroibete, Harri Houston, Luke Morgan

  Tom Rogers may want to play fullback, but Koroibete offers a great replacement for Dan Kasende if so. His powers haven’t waned as much as one might expect for a 34 year old winger, and his power game should compliment Keelan Giles’ agility well. Their secondary options are less destructive, but have covered well in the past, so this season should be no different. 8.5/10

  Fullback: Tom Rogers, Dan John, Iestyn Hopkins

  If he chooses to commit to the 15 jersey, Rogers should help give the Ospreys a very effective aerial game, with his international-level skillset setting him apart from the other options. Dan John is more of a utility back, but will benefit from more gametime while Iestyn Hopkins enjoyed a breakthrough season last year and offers another option out wide. It’s probably between Rogers and Creighton, depending on how the Ospreys want to play, but they should have plenty of options. 8/10

  Overall Score: 79

  For the Ospreys, playoffs are a real possibility, but they’ll need to manage consistency throughout the season. They’ve lost the bulk of their leadership within the group, and you feel as though some badly-timed injuries could be costly to their structure, but Mark Jones has done an incredible job of balancing the ship with his signings. If not for the threat posed by the WRU, there would be a real sense of optimism across the board, as this is genuinely a dangerous team.

  Strongest Team: G Thomas, Parry, Botha, Davies, Smith, Wright, Deaves, Morris, Morgan-Williams, Edwards, Giles, Williams, Watkin, Koroibete, Rogers

  Lloyd, S Thomas, Warren, Ratti, Morse, Hardy, Creighton, Foketi

  2026.09.06

• Cardiff Rugby Depth Ranking and Preview – URC 2026-27

  Cardiff Rugby Depth Ranking and Preview – URC 2026-27

  While the title seems to change hands every season, the capital side is the current standard-bearer for Welsh Rugby, having made 6th in the standings and achieving the best performance by any Welsh region in the current URC format. Compared to the Scarlets and Ospreys, Cardiff are achieving some level of consistency after their similarly impressive showing last season, and even though Matt Sherratt has left for Wales, Corniel van Zyl has done well to keep Cardiff playing to their strengths.

  That said, there’s no guarantee Cardiff will hold onto their standard from last season, especially with teams like Benetton and Ulster wanting to bounce back into the top 8. Cardiff have been very conservative with signings this season, focusing on retaining their top talent and bolstering their high-end depth in key positions. This should result in a settled and confident Cardiff side at home, though improvements will likely need to come on the pitch; Cardiff’s attack and setpiece faced several roadblocks last season, so new attack coach Daniel Bowden will need to earn his keep.

  Loosehead Prop: Rhys Barratt, Danny Southworth, Scott Sio, Joe Cowell

  One of Cardiff’s stronger areas on paper. Barratt and Southworth have come a long way, and Steve Tandy has taken notice of their skills around the park. The departure of Corey Domachowski takes a bit of size from the already quite light Cardiff front row, but the experience of Scott Sio should more than level the playing field. Exeter demolished Cardiff’s scrum last season, so Sio should help the younger props develop international-level skills. 8/10

  Hooker: Liam Belcher, Evan Lloyd, Dafydd Hughes, Tom Howe

  Captain Belcher seems to be in favour with Tandy, so the other hookers will really have to prove strong starting options in his absence. Lloyd’s dynamism and physicality are notable, but his fundamentals have lacked in the past. Tom Howe could be a breakthrough player this season, given his strong performances for the U20s, but either way, Cardiff’s lineout has been struggling at around 84% success for the past few seasons, near the bottom of the URC. Something needs to be fixed. 6.5/10

  Tighthead Prop: Kieron Assiratti, Javan Sebastian, Sam Wainwright

  Assiratti is a strong carrier, but his injury problems kept getting Cardiff into trouble at scrum time, and he was tied for most penalties conceded last season. Meanwhile, Javan Sebastian was arguably signing of the season for the Blue and Blacks, while Tandy seems to like Sam Wainwright for a reason. Has constantly been one of the region’s weakest areas, but doesn’t seem far off a strength once the scrum improves. 6/10

  Locks: Josh McNally, Teddy Williams, Rory Thornton, George Nott, Tom Cottle, Tom Manz

  Losing Teddy Williams for most of the season really showed how weak Cardiff are here; McNally and Thornton are solid enforcers and Nott brings some agility, but there aren’t many here who can really manage their lineout or carry to the same extent. Tom Manz should help bolster the numbers for now, but missing out on Christ Tshiunza should hurt. 7/10

  Back Row: Alex Mann, James Botham, Taulupe Faletau, Taine Basham, Dan Thomas, Alun Lawrence, Semisi Paea, Lucas de la Rua

  Compared to the other forwards, this is somewhere Cardiff are far from weak. Mann and Botham are currently fighting over the Wales 6 jersey for good reason, but even the uncapped Dan Thomas is a real quality option at 7, generating turnovers from seemingly nowhere. Faletau’s injury problems are well-documented, but Basham and Lawrence are strong alternatives at 8, while new signing Semisi Paea should bring some more power. All of these guys have an exceptional work rate and offer Cardiff a real engine on defence. 9/10

  Scrum-Half: Aled Davies, Johan Mulder, Ellis Bevan

  Cardiff’s scrum-halves are more focused on strong kicking than sniping for opportunities. This has suited them well so far, as Davies and Mulder boast some of the best kicking stats of the URC’s scrum halves, while Bevan prefers to play out wide when he can. Mulder is a strong force in contact too, winning only 5 turnovers less than the aforementioned Dan Thomas (13 total, 11th overall in the URC and probably several spaces higher than most of the scrum halves). Don’t expect them to score a lot, though. 7/10

  Fly Half: Jarrod Evans, Callum Sheedy, Ioan Lloyd, Lloyd Lucas

  Jarrod is back, and willing to bring a more direct approach than Callum Sheedy in a direct shoot-out for the 10 jersey. I didn’t know who would start between Sheedy and Lloyd last season, and I’m even less sure now; Sheedy had largely fixed his goal-kicking and was one of Cardiff’s key playmakers, so Jarrod’s inclusion inflates what was already a fairly strong area for Cardiff. Luckily, he and Lloyd can cover 12 and 15 just fine, so Cardiff should be able to make use of all their quality here, bolstered by Ben Thomas and Jacob Beetham as emergency options. 9/10

  Centres: Ben Thomas, Harri Millard, Steffan Emanuel, Le Roux Malan, Osian Darwin-Lewis, Elijah Evans

  Not as deep as it looks on paper, as the latter two are academy players, Emanuel has just turned 20, and Malan has just signed. Still, Thomas and Millard make a more than serviceable midfield combo, and Emanuel’s strong performance for the U20s could see him usurp one of them. Jarrod is a decent 12 too, though Grady’s shift to the wing leaves them short on size. 7.5/10

  Wings: Josh Adams, Mason Grady, Tom Bowen, Iwan Stephens, Theo Cabango, Rhys Cummings

  Adams and Grady are firmly in Wales contention, so the rest should get a fair amount of gametime. This is another of Cardiff’s stronger areas, filled with small and agile wingers with serious pace. Bowen was the real star last season, and should probably start as many games as the two internationals, but Stephens and Cabango are serious athletes too, giving Cardiff a lot of quality to finish out wide. Providing they can win the high ball (given 3 of these guys are under 5’10’’), Cardiff are under no threat here. 9/10

  Fullback: Cameron Winnett, Jacob Beetham, Matty Young

  With Leigh Halfpenny retreating to the coaching box, these three youngsters have a very experienced mentor to help improve their game. Winnett is a deadly counterattacker while Beetham’s spent a lot of time on the wing, but hasn’t looked out of place given Cardiff’s quality there. Either could be in a Wales squad too, while Matty Young looked good against Stade Francais. 8/10

  Overall Score: 77

  Cardiff haven’t needed to change much, and they haven’t. The bigger questions are about their players’ form rather than their depth, and how well they may handle their top talent leaving for international duty. Evans’ recall and Bowden’s appointment points to a Cardiff looking to reignite their attack (and to be fair, Cardiff are among the URC’s weakest attacking sides despite their successes), so some adjustments are likely to be made to their first-choice team, but overall, it’d be bold to bet against them being the strongest Welsh region this time around.

  Strongest Team: Sio, Belcher, Assiratti, McNally, Williams, Mann, D Thomas, Basham, Mulder, Sheedy, Adams, B Thomas, Millard, Grady, Winnett

  Lloyd, Barratt, Sebastian, Thornton, Botham, Davies, Evans, Bowen

  2026.09.01

• Wales vs Argentina Review – Nations Championship 2026

  Wales vs Argentina Review – Nations Championship 2026

  Argentina 35 – 21 Wales

  The win streak is over. While Wales were valiant in their performance and made the Pumas work for it (at least, for most of the contest), Argentina were simply too strong; too coordinated, too physical, and too confident in their gameplan. They gained control over the matchup in the first half, and outside of some key moments, didn’t really let go of it. Wales needed to be conservative and restrain the Argentinian machine; instead they fed right into it, most of their risk-takes backfiring directly into their opponents’ hands.

  If anything really undid Wales, it was their general structure. Or rather, the overall lack of it; Sherratt and Murchie’s plans to undo the Argentinian gameplan weren’t clear at any point in the match, beyond the general strengths the Wales team have shown this year that we already knew about (close-range carrying tries & defensive workrate). This made them largely predictable against a world-class Argentinian defence fronted by Marcos Kremer, and they simply had no answer to a best-ever showing by Joaquin Oviedo, who barrelled clean through 6 defenders and made 98 meters all on his own. There aren’t new threats at this level, but Wales simply didn’t know how to deal with them.

  But if anything is a testament to how far Wales have come, it’s their sheer resilience under that level of pressure. After Ben Warren powered through a gap for his first international try, the team still looked fired up for a comeback that would’ve been hard for most teams to believe in. When Wales had possession, they looked genuinely threatening, and seemed to find their feet in gaining ground and slowly wearing down their opponents. But by that point, it wasn’t enough.

  Overall, this felt like a step back in overall performance, though Wales can take confidence in how far they’ve come; they’ve closed the margin of defeat from 24 to 14 points, almost half, and have shown over the past few weeks that they can genuinely compete at this level. Argentina are simply much further along that journey.

  Player Ratings:

  1: Rhys Carré 6

  Defensively was 50/50, missing a good number of tackles. Then again, the scrum was solid against a very big Argentinian pack, and claimed one of his typical close-range tries. Always a threat with ball in hand.

  2: Dewi Lake 8

  Wales’ best player. Wales’ lineout and maul were their biggest strengths going in, and Lake hit his darts and put in a great effort on both sides of the ball. That injury was very unfortunately timed, but hopefully he’ll be available for South Africa, as he’ll be needed.

  3: Dillon Lewis 7

  His best performance so far. Lewis showed his point of difference over the other tightheads with his work around the field, making 10 tackles but only 1 carry. Still, the scrum was largely solid, so he appears to have tightened that area of his game, and should enjoy more appearances at this level.

  4: Ben Carter 5

  One of his weaker performances, though he still managed the lineout well. Carter always puts in a big shift, but missed a couple tackles and didn’t really organise Wales’ defence up front, as Oviedo and Wenger got mileage out all their carries. Got taken off when Argentina had full control.

  5: Adam Beard 5

  Generally looked cleaner than last week, but Beard is still prone to some strange errors, one time handing the ball back to Argentina right after winning a turnover. He’s at least improved over past performances, making more carries and tackles, and has contributed to a powerful maul and setpiece.

  6: James Botham 7

  Wales’ hardest worker over 80 minutes, and looked completely shattered by the end of the game as a result. 15 tackles and 17 carries, constantly annoying Argentinians with his efforts. If he builds on that next week, he could be a real frustration to Rassie Erasmus.

  7: Jac Morgan 7

  Unsurprisingly. Jac was one of Wales’ best as he made more tackles than anyone else on the pitch, and his leadership helped rally the side later on into the game. The backrow put in a strong shift overall, they just weren’t matching the physicality of Kremer and Oviedo, but Jac epitomised Wales’ valiant efforts on defence.

  8: Aaron Wainwright 5

  Not a bad game, but this wasn’t really a match for Wainwright to shine. Argentina firmly won the physical battle, and with them having the majority possession, Oviedo was the one making the powerful carries. On defence, Waino struggled a lot to contain them, missing 3 tackles, and got replaced near the 60 minute mark.

  9: Tomos Williams 4

  This was a bad game for Wales’ midfield, as the team completely lacked creativity or a clear path forward beyond Argentina’s attack. Of the bunch, Tomos has the weakest excuse, as he captains an exciting attacking side every week, but he was clearly struggling against the relentless onslaught and was forced onto defence a lot.

  10: Sam Costelow 4

  Also not great. Albornoz is several steps ahead of Costelow as a player, although Edwards likely wouldn’t have fared much better. His ability to spot opportunities was clear, but his execution fell short of the mark at times. On defence, he actually managed quite well, though he missed 3 tackles and couldn’t handle Justo Piccaro much at all.

  11: Josh Adams 5

  Mostly invisible, though he got a lot more work done in the second half. Probably should’ve been replaced over Ellis Mee, as he didn’t influence much on attack despite making 8 carries.

  12: Joe Hawkins 4

  Hawkins has had a good run in the 12 jersey so far, but the benefit of having a playmaking 12 is to bolster the creativity in attack. Hawkins got some nice change out of his 12 successful carries, but otherwise there wasn’t much else he could do, and he was completely overpowered on defence.

  13: Eddie James 5

  The pick of the midfielders, if only because he was underutilised rather than poor. Only managed 4 tackles and 5 carries; stopped a try with one tackle, then was defeated out wide for the first try.

  14: Ellis Mee 6

  Stepped up under the high ball, and did well on defence to contain Mateo Carreras. Unfortunately, he didn’t get to bring much else before being replaced by Rees-Zammit. Still, his point of difference at this level is clear.

  15: Blair Murray 5

  Actually managed the high ball okay, though on defence he fell off a lot of tackles. Brought his usual energy on attack, but Argentina’s defence was well-equipped to handle him. 

  BENCH

  16: Ryan Elias 7

  With how good Lake was, Elias made for a great replacement. Strong on defence, ripping a ball from a carrier close to Wales’ line, he proved why he’s earned 50 caps for his country. If Lake is injured next week, expect him to start, and likely go deep into the game.

  17: Nicky Smith 6

  The scrum was generally less stable after the larger starting props left, though Smith did well to contain attackers around the park and keep the setpiece working.

  18: Ben Warren 7

  A great try for only his second cap; his carrying game looks solid at this level, similarly to Assiratti. Also held his own at scrum time, and has proven to Tandy he can cut it at this level.

  19: Teddy Williams 6

  Showed his test credentials by bringing real energy from the bench. Solid on both sides of the ball, though nothing outstanding

  20: Kane James 5

  Big energy on his debut, but it didn’t really get him anywhere against the much larger Kremer.

  21: Kieran Hardy N/A

  Ruck speed was quicker than Tomos’, but that wasn’t saying much, given 20% of Wales’ rucks took over 6 seconds.

  22: Max Llewellyn 5

  Not much he could do by the time he was brought on. Held up some carriers well and threw himself around physically.

  23: Louis Rees-Zammit 6

  Stepped up after a weak showing last week, making some good line breaks and chased the high balls well. Looked like a better fit for the gameplan.

  My Team for South Africa:

  1. Rhys Carré
  2. Dewi Lake
  3. Dillon Lewis
  4. Ben Carter
  5. Adam Beard
  6. Jac Morgan
  7. Tommy Reffell
  8. Aaron Wainwright
  9. Tomos Williams
  10. Dan Edwards
  11. Josh Adams
  12. Eddie James
  13. Max Llewellyn
  14. Louis Rees-Zammit
  15. Ellis Mee

  BENCH

  16. Ryan Elias
  17. Nicky Smith
  18. Ben Warren
  19. Teddy Williams
  20. Taine Plumtree
  21. James Botham
  22. Reuben Morgan-Williams
  23. Mason Grady

  If Argentina have the physical power to overwhelm Wales, South Africa will feel like an insurmountable obstacle. Issues like Wales’ awkward defence and attacking consistency aren’t really going to close the gap here; the reality is that no team knows how to beat this current Springboks structure, and Wales are the least experienced, coordinated, and successful team they’ll be facing. The good news is that since Rassie likes to announce his team early, Tandy will know roughly what he’ll be facing from minute 1, though any measure of “handling” South Africa will be a considerable achievement for Wales.

  Up front, there isn’t any clear avenue for change, as these are the combinations Tandy has stuck with for most of the campaign, and they’ve largely worked well. Maintaining setpiece discipline will be critical, and the lineout looks a far more winnable battle than the scrum, so Lake (or Elias if he’s still injured) and his pack will have to be at their best. There is a switch in the backrow, however, as a 6-2 split will work well to handle the physical challenge the Springboks will bring. If Tandy’s men are to hit the Springboks, they’ll need majority possession, so the dual-jackal threat of Morgan and Reffell will do well to earn back the ball on defence. Botham and Plumtree can then bring their greater dynamism off the bench, carrying hard into tired defenders and keeping the pace high.

  There’s a more considerable change in the midfield. Joe Hawkins is a great 12 and an international player, but it’s clear Wales have had issues using Eddie James to his full potential at 13. With a pack as physical as South Africa, size will matter, and while Hawkins isn’t small, this is a midfield combo based on size and strength. Llewellyn acts as a more agile foil, who can barge down walls or skip tackles, closer to James’ usual partners at the Scarlets. Also, Edwards has been selected over Costelow, although either makes a good case to start. Both have had fairly weak games, but Edwards is the less predictable player who’s more likely to catch the Boks offguard, which could create crucial counter-attacking opportunities.

  Out back, Blair Murray may be a solid fullback, but with Kurt-Lee Arendse, it’s unlikely he’ll see any mercy under the high ball. How well Vusi Moyo and Jaco Williams acclimate to international rugby is yet to be seen, but he’d already have enough on his plate. Ellis Mee has been moved there to better utilise his aerial skills, while Adams’ defence and Rees-Zammit’s pace can frustrate their opponents. As for the last bench spot, Hawkins is a consideration for his versatility, but to better use the resources around camp, this could be a solid test for Mason Grady’s power game, as he’s a fair bit bigger than the Boks’ wingers and should help gain crucial ground.

  To be realistic, there isn’t a clear path for Wales here; not that most teams typically fare much better. Scotland came close, but if they aren’t clinical enough to finish the job against the Boks, Wales will be fortunate to get close. The above gameplan is designed for chaos and physicality, trying to maintain control over the ball and hit the Springboks as hard as possible from all angles. Anything beyond the 0-73 destruction from last time is a plus, though a 30-point margin is more expected. This is a real test for what the team can do against the very best, and they should relish every moment.

  2026.07.13

• Wales vs Fiji Review – Nations Championship 2026

  Wales vs Fiji Review – Nations Championship 2026

  Fiji 24 – Wales 39

  Cardiff City Stadium was transformed for the opening game of the Nations Championship, helping to compensate for the lack of a true Fijian home stadium with a brilliant showing of Fijian culture, helping to hype up the opposing players into a match many expected them to win regardless of venue. But Wales’ response was emphatic; leading for most of the game and answering one of the strongest attacks in World Rugby with grit, ferocity and clinical offence to secure back-to-back test victories for the first time under Tandy’s leadership.

  It can;t be stressed how important this win was for Welsh rugby; not only did this prove the Italian victory wasn’t a one-off, Wales were arguably even better as they restrained all of their opponents’ best attackers before responding with real weapons of their own. With a weak overall possession, Wales would’ve been forgiven for retreating into a shell of secure, practical rugby. Instead, they played with genuine confidence in their gameplan, perfectly tailored to exploit Fiji’s big weakness; consistent, sustained pressure over 80 minutes. With their opponents tired and low on ideas, it was only a matter of time before the half-time gap widened in Wales’ favour.

  That said, Wales do have some work-ons if they are to challenge Argentina and South Africa. While their defence was strong overall, conceding only three tries despite having 10% less possession, there were several moments where Wales lacked the control and foresight they will need to handle stronger opponents; though successful, Wales’ defensive efforts were based on determination and raw endurance rather than accuracy. 

  Overall, however, this is nothing less than a brilliant achievement for the team, progressively increasing the scale of opponents they can win against and improving upon their structure with every game. Strong (or at least, improved) showings against Argentina and South Africa will make for an excellent start to their first Nations Championship campaign.

  Player Ratings:

  1: Rhys Carré 8

  One of Wales’ best Six Nations players, and was just as strong here. The scrum was a much improved effort overall, and Carré can certainly claim accolades for his contributions on that front. His trademark try-scoring ability lead to a vital score after the break, too.

  2: Dewi Lake 8

  The lineout was less consistent, though that wasn’t really Lake’s fault, who made up for his efforts by bringing back the same rolling maul that brought him to worldwide recognition in 2024. Ran into some handling issues, but so did everyone, so his efforts up front take priority.

  3: Dillon Lewis 7

  Also gets points for the scrum, and helped add to that with a nice haul of 8 tackles, only missing one. Less impactful than Carré, but handled the massive Ernoi Mawi well. Should keep this jersey going forward.

  4: Ben Carter 8

  14 tackles, none missed. That speaks volumes alone to Carter’s defensive efforts, as Fiji couldn’t get past him no matter what they tried. Did well to control the lineout too, which was one of Wales’ strong points.

  5: Adam Beard 5

  Beard had a polarising game, overall. One the one hand, 13 tackles, multiple turnovers, and a strong setpiece speak volumes to how he physically bolstered Wales efforts, and those impacts were ultimately the reason Wales won. Then again, he also conceded more penalties than anyone, many of which were needless offside or foul play penalties he gained nothing from. Needs to tidy up his game.

  6: Alex Mann 6

  Probably his weakest performance so far, not that you can hold it against him with his consistency up until now. Mann had difficulty managing the Fijians’ physicality, as he got turned over on all three of his carries after going off early with a HIA. Could do with a break after that performance. 

  7: Jac Morgan 9

  Back to his best. Two tries, top of the tackle charts, consistently strong at the breakdown and one of the better carriers. Jac epitomised everything Wales did well, with few errors, though it took him a while to get into it. Once he found his feet, Fiji had a tough time dealing with him, and his workrate deservedly one him Man of the Match

  8: Aaron Wainwright 7

  Less dominant than he has been in recent performances. A strong carrying threat, but that wasn’t the best approach against a big Fijian side who quickly turned him over. Was clearly targeted and viewed as the prime threat, but he hung in there well.

  9: Tomos Williams 8

  The primary playmaker in this match, Tomos’ pass selection and kicking game got Wales out of trouble and into an attacking position. Very much an all-court game, though he obviously wasn’t going to stand up to the strongest of the opposition’s carriers.

  10: Dan Edwards 5

  Edwards did well around the park, throwing himself into defence bravely but largely in vain; slowing down Fiji’s gameplay as much as possible is always the goal, to be fair. From the tee, though, his faults were a lot less forgivable, as he missed most of his kicks and kept Wales under pressure when they really couldn’t afford to be.

  11: Josh Adams 9

  The wingers didn’t get to shine much, but Adams’ best selling point is his defence, which he showed by claiming a very helpful turnover near the 50 meter line. But the real highlight was his try, with his vision and determination letting him surprise Ravutaumada. A player of his experience and quality will be valuable in this tournament.

  12: Joe Hawkins 6

  Hawkins drew the short straw in being the first line of defence against the untackleable Josua Tuisova, but he kept his channel largely under control. Worked well to cover Edwards on defence, but couldn’t bring much influence on attack, and Rayesi’s footwork was too much for him on a few occasions.

  13: Eddie James 6

  Also made some big interventions on defence despite the quality of Fiji’s carriers, but also made some big errors. Generally, Eddie’s job was to organise the defence of the backline, and it stood strong for most of the game, but his own contributions fell short next to some of his teammates.

  14: Louis Rees-Zammit 3

  Not good. Mostly silent on attack and was stuck with the unenviable task of containing Wainiqolo on defence, which he didn’t. Struggled under the high ball, and generally went anonymous when Wales needed go-forward. From a player of his quality, you’d expect a lot more.

  15: Blair Murray 7

  Still struggled under the high ball, but made up for it on defence and with the ball in hand. Murray was elusive as ever, making very impactful carries and kicking well to gain space. Has done himself a lot of favours showing that he’s a Test-quality fullback where Wales need to develop options.

  BENCH

  16: Ryan Elias 8

  Kept the scrum and maul working well, picking up where Lake left off and scoring a try for his efforts. Brought his workrate to the Fijian pack well.

  17: Nicky Smith 8

  Weirdly, less impactful scrummaging than Carré, but was still strong. Much better around the field, being a constant breakdown annoyance.

  18: Ben Warren 6

  Not much to write about, but also held on well with the scrum, which is definitely an achievement for a Welsh tighthead, especially on his first cap.

  19: Taine Plumtree N/A

  Not a lot of gametime at 8 to make an impact, but looked up for some big carries. Will probably get more opportunities later on.

  20: James Botham 8

  Big work at the breakdown, could’ve easily started with how well he threw himself at the rucks. A nice turnover helped wrap up the game for Wales.

  21: Kieran Hardy N/A

  Here we go again…

  22: Sam Costelow 7

  Wales needed direction and control in the late game, and Costelow brought a lot more of it than Edwards. Only one kick, but was solid at the tee and helped close out the game.

  23: Ellis Mee 6

  Better defensive work, though less strong under the high ball and quiet on attack. Looked hungry to get some work done, and he may be one to watch as the tournament goes on.

  My Team for Argentina:

  1. Rhys Carré
  2. Dewi Lake
  3. Dillon Lewis
  4. Ben Carter
  5. Adam Beard
  6. Jac Morgan
  7. Tommy Reffell
  8. Aaron Wainwright
  9. Tomos Williams
  10. Sam Costelow
  11. Josh Adams
  12. Eddie James
  13. Max Llewellyn
  14. Louis Rees-Zammit
  15. Ellis Mee

  BENCH

  16. Ryan Elias
  17. Nicky Smith
  18. Sam Wainwright
  19. Teddy Williams
  20. James Botham
  21. Reuben Morgan-Williams
  22. Dan Edwards
  23. Mason Grady

  Following Scotland’s win over Argentina, Wales’ next opponents will be desperate to right wrongs before facing a more intimidating England side. Luckily, the match provided a helpful blueprint; Scotland were dominant in collisions and at the breakdown, retaining possession and carrying with intent to wear down the opposition. Tandy has already stated his intention to alter the team to cope with the travelling, so some players have been replaced to give them a rest following the gruelling physicality of the Fiji test.

  Up front, the pack is largely the same; with only three locks, there isn’t much more to be done to stabilise the setpiece. Sam Wainwright should at least get an opportunity to show his scrummaging credentials, to best assess Wales’ options ahead of the Springboks test. The backrow has also been reshuffled, as Tommy Reffell’s jackaling skills will be helpful in slowing down Argentina’s ball and regaining possession. Tandy usually prefers a lineout-taking 6, so Mann or Plumtree are viable options, but Reffell has been a solid lineout taker for Leicester in the past.

  The backline has seen a more significant shift; Costelow brings stronger game management than Edwards, as Wales will need to be more controlled than they were against Fiji. His centre combination has also shifted to give him more familiar options outside him; Eddie James can bring a similar carrying threat to Sione Tuipulotu, while Max Llewellyn can make consistent linebreaks when the Argentinian defence opens up, and both are physical enough to put pressure on Tomas Albornoz.

  Both wingers are retained, as they have proven test credentials and are solid under the high ball, though Louis Rees-Zammit will need a stronger performance on both sides of the ball. Ellis Mee replaces Blair Murray at fullback, as while the latter performed well against Fiji, Argentina are far more reliant on their aerial game through Rodrigo Isgro and Lucio Cinti, who got away with putting pressure on Murray’s weaker high ball skills last time. Mason Grady should also bring some energy and power in the lategame, as his size can dominate collisions against Argentina’s smaller backs.

  Wales will need to be a lot more structured and clinical against Argentina, as they are in turn a lot more structured and clinical than Fiji, and have a wider spread of experienced and world-class players. Argentina will want to open the game up with tactical kicking, but if Wales are competitive at the setpiece, they have the carrying threats to gain territory. Who concedes more penalties will likely be the deciding factor, as both teams tend to struggle with discipline. Wales’ improvements in this area against Fiji are promising, but they’ll be under a lot more pressure next week.

  2026.07.05

• Wales vs Barbarians Review – Nations Championship 2026

  Wales vs Barbarians Review – Nations Championship 2026

  Barbarians 31 – 33 Wales

  The first back-to-back Wales victories since the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Which isn’t the most flattering benchmark, but it’s been a long time coming in preparation for the Nations Championship. Prior to this match, the Barbarians lost to the Springboks 80-31, so if the takeaway from this game is that the Springboks, the world Number 1s, are 47 points better than an away-player-less Wales, it’s a fair cop.

  Generally, this was a step down from Wales’ performance against Italy, notably in the first half where the score ended 5-14. Wales’ defence held firm against a constant stream of powerful carries from the likes of Nathan Hughes and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who channelled frustration at missing out on international honours, but Wales found plenty of answers to the challengers’ questions. Wales were the more controlled and measured side, making linebreaks when given the opportunity, though not always being clinical enough to finish them.

  Only when George North entered the field, did things start to heat up. Wales’ attack elevated when their own replacements came on, but North’s carrying presented a formidable challenge as he claimed two scores to keep the gap close for the rest of the game. With Harry Plummer’s two missed conversions and Dan Edwards’ one, this would’ve been a dead even game – a fitting warm-up for the upcoming tour.

  Overall, Wales will take the win, though question marks may remain over areas such as the scrum and defence where they had more difficulty. The more structured national sides they will be facing over the next three weeks will pose a lot more competition to Wales in these areas, so Tandy has a lot to consider in preparation for those games.

  Player Ratings:

  1: Gareth Thomas 4

  Wales’ scrum had a very poor start, and Thomas was the prop most frequently penalised. At the same time, his around the field contributions were notable, making 9 tackles and 2 turnovers, but his faults were more costly. This kind of performance is becoming a concerning theme, but his discipline has improved from last time. 

  2: Dewi Lake 7

  His low pass to Wainwright was a black mark, and he has to be marked down for the weak early scrum, but otherwise Lake was solid here. Influential on both sides of the ball, he closed the gap on the Baabaas physicality, and looked a fair bit faster than usual in the carry.

  3: Dillon Lewis 4

  Not the return to the Wales jersey he’d have wanted, though he was the stronger of the starting two props in the scrum, and helped win a penalty towards the end of the second half. Lewis is more renowned for his work around the field than in the scrum, but it was more of the opposite here.

  4: Ben Carter 7

  Strong defensive performance as always, tying with Jac for most tackles completed. Missed a couple, but he’s been the model of consistency since the Six Nations, so expect him to start against Fiji

  5: Teddy Williams 6

  Didn’t look like someone who hasn’t played since October. Teddy’s workrate was just as high as Ben’s, though he obviously played fewer minutes. Will bring more impactful efforts in attack when he’s fully recovered.

  6: Taine Plumtree 6

  This looked a lot closer to Plumtree’s Scarlets efforts than his usual Wales ones. For one, he didn’t get carded. But generally, he was a constant thorn in the Baabaas defence in the first half, with multiple effective carries and handled the brunt of Wales’ strong lineouts. Still, one feels he has some work to do before he’s pushing Mann or Botham out of the 6 jersey.

  7: Jac Morgan 7

  Jac tied with Ben Carter for most tackles made, but this felt like a step back from his typically influential performances. Optimistically, this may be a sign that the team isn’t as reliant on him to carry them anymore, though his defensive workrate remains at its usual standard.

  8: Aaron Wainwright 8

  Another game, another performance where Waino is one of the best players on the pitch. Made the bulk of Wales’ carries, throwing himself into larger players and coming out on top, and being generally unlucky not to score a try. Just as strong in defence too, making 13 and missing none. Hopefully, he’ll be raring to take on Fiji with the same energy.

  9: Kieran Hardy 7

  His best performance for Wales in a while, as he worked well with Dan Edwards to pull the strings of Wales’ attack. His efforts didn’t all field results, but he was involved with all 3 of Wales first tries before leaving. Given Tandy’s tendency to leave him benched until the end of a game, this was a statement of intent that he can more than hold his own at this level.

  10: Dan Edwards 8

  Another of Wales’ best. Two tries, a solid series of kicks whether at the tee or across the field, and read the opposition very well. Edwards played with complete confidence whenever he got his hands on the ball, though it was a tougher showing for him on defence. Wales had a few issues in general under the high ball, but when Edwards clicked, he was excellent.

  11: Ellis Mee 5

  A tough one to rank; in another timeline, he would’ve scored a hattrick, and he beat more defenders than anyone else. However, under the high ball, he struggled to make an impact, and couldn’t help out much on defence either. 

  12: Joe Hawkins 7

  Good with ball in hand, struggled without; this will be a common theme among the backs. Hawkins missed 6 tackles, which sounds poor, though he did well to shepherd attackers into difficult spots. His carrying and passing efforts were effective, though, so Tandy will probably stick with him at 12.

  13: Eddie James 6

  Not really an improvement on his Six Nations’ outing. James made some good carries, but got outplayed by Nankivell and Ward, who targeted his channel a lot. His handling will need to improve if he’s to stay ahead of Max Llewlleyn in the pecking order.

  14: Tom Rogers 4

  Not great; outside of the typical defensive issues the backline suffered with, Rogers also couldn’t handle his opposing numbers in the air, even though it’s usually one of his stronger areas. May be rested going forward if he wants to play fullback for Ospreys, as he will need time to find his best position.

  15: Blair Murray 7

  One of the scarier calls going into the game, Murray wasn’t challenged much in the air, allowing him to show the rest of his abilities to the fullest. Showed his impressive strength in stopping a try from a close-range restart, and constantly dazzled defenders with his footwork and kicking. May have earned his starting spot, though the airgame will be a concern against more organised teams.

  BENCH

  16: Ryan Elias 7

  Bolstered the scrum, and generally picked up where Lake left off, though he was less noteworthy around the park. The clear choice for the 16 jersey against Fiji

  17: Rhys Barratt 7

  Easily the best of the debutants. His scrummaging wasn’t perfect, but he held on well overall, which will stand him in good stead given his very impressive carry. Barratt’s workrate is a real selling point among the selected front rowers, and he may have done enough work to avoid being dropped.

  18: Ben Warren 6

  Didn’t collapse a scrum, so he gets a point for that. Otherwise was fairly quiet.

  19: Ryan Woodman 5

  Also pretty quiet, though matching his fellow locks’ workrate was never going to be easy. 

  20: Harrison Keddie 5

  Looked strong, but faded away pretty quickly. Lacks the sheer dynamism of other backrowers, and tried to compensate with physicality against a side that relishes contests of brute force; not the easiest gamble.

  21: Reuben Morgan-Williams 7

  One of the most underrated players in the squad, and showed why as he arguably outplayed Hardy. He sped up the ruck service considerably, and brought his own threat with ball-in-hand with a brilliant dummy pass to set up his own try. Even after both scrum halves put in such great performances, RMW has made a particularly strong case to be drafted into to the 23 against Fiji.

  22: Sam Costelow 6

  Costelow was fine, which was all he really needed to be after Edwards did so much work. He made his conversions and led the attack well, though he got overshadowed by those around him

  23: Mason Grady 5

  Not particularly impactful, and made some weird defensive errors. Also didn’t really get to touch the ball, limiting his main strength. If he’d started, he’d likely have a similar impact to Mee or Rogers.

  My Team to face Fiji:

  1. Rhys Carré
  2. Dewi Lake
  3. Dillon Lewis
  4. Ben Carter
  5. Teddy Williams
  6. Alex Mann
  7. Jac Morgan
  8. Aaron Wainwright
  9. Tomos Williams
  10. Dan Edwards
  11. Josh Adams
  12. Joe Hawkins
  13. Eddie James
  14. Louis Rees-Zammit
  15. Blair Murray

  BENCH

  16. Evan Lloyd
  17. Nicky Smith
  18. Ben Warren
  19. Adam Beard
  20. James Botham
  21. Reuben Morgan-Williams
  22. Sam Costelow
  23. Max Llewellyn

  I wanted to wait until Tandy trimmed down the squad for the rest of the campaign before trying to work out what approach might be taken against Fiji. While Dafydd Jenkins’ injury is an unwelcome surprise, the following team looks well-equipped to handle the Flying Fijians’ typical gameplan. Like the Barbarians’, Fiji appreciate an open, chaotic style of gameplay, so physicality and a focused defence will be needed to restrain their biggest threats.

  The return of English-based players helps with this a lot; in addition to their experience, it helps deepen the squad as Tandy has stated he wants to rotate players throughout the campaign to help ease the physical pressure of travelling. This first fixture will still be in Cardiff, but it’s something to keep in mind when building future teams. 

  Fiji’s weakness is usually their discipline and struggles asserting control over a match, but Wainiqolo and Ravouvou can score from anywhere, so Hawkins and James will need to improve considerably from their defensive efforts last weekend. Murray at fullback is a risk, but while targeting him with high balls could be an option for Fiji, Tuisova and the aforementioned wingers are also a significant threat to Ellis Mee’s awkward defence; Tandy will probably choose the one who’s more used to the role.

  The pack is composed primarily of high-work rate tacklers than powerful carriers; Wales can’t compete with some of the Top 14’s biggest powerhouses, but players like Ben Carter and Alex Mann could outwork the Fijians instead, who often make mistakes when pressured hard enough at the breakdown. If they can hold back Ireland’s phase plays, they should be able to do the same here. James Botham is another option at 6, and probably starts if Mann isn’t up for it, but on the bench he brings a good blend of physicality and versatility, with his breakdown skills giving him an edge over Plumtree.

  If Evan Lloyd fits any of the Championship’s matchups, it’s this one, as the setpiece is less of a concern here than against the Pumas or Springboks. I’ve also rewarded Reuben Morgan Williams for his bench performance against the BaaBaas, as he’s more of a solo threat than Hardy, while Llewellyn should provide the adequate bench coverage while bringing a strong late-game carrying threat.

  2026.06.30

• My Wales Team for the Barbarians Match – Nations Championship 2026

  My Wales Team for the Barbarians Match – Nations Championship 2026

  The last time Wales faced the Barbarians, there was a sense of finality; the last international game in the careers of Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, and Leigh Halfpenny. This time, it’ll also be George North’s final game, bringing an end to yet another international representative of the golden years of Welsh international rugby. With the Barbarians due to play South Africa, we have a glimpse of what the rest of the opposition will look like, but for most of the squad, this kind of test will be the first of its kind.

  It’s also uncapped, meaning non-Wales-based players will also be ineligible. This will force Tandy to bring new players into the fold, not helped by many other established players having end-of-season injury concerns. However, much of the squad has recovered in time for the tests, leaving plenty of questions as to how the team will be built. Will established players be trusted to handle the physicality of the Baabaas? Or will new combinations be trialled to prepare for the higher-stakes fixtures of the Nations Championship? Why it’s in Twickenham the week after the PREM final is its own question.

  Anyway, here is my team to face the Barbarians next weekend:

  1: Gareth Thomas

  Thomas hasn’t been the most consistent player for Wales in recent campaigns, but with him and the uncapped Rhys Barratt as the only options, he should be the more well-equipped to handle the Baabaas’ experienced internationals. His chop-tackling skills will also help Wales’ range of jackling specialists.

  2: Dewi Lake

  Lake could be rested for the Fiji test, but after missing all the post-Six Nations action and with Ryan Elias playing as many minutes as he has, Tandy might want to give the former a chance to resync with international rugby. If Elliot Dee stays with the opposition, it’ll be a fun battle between the 2025 Six Nations hookers. 

  3: Dilon Lewis

  Well, Assiratti’s injury has come back, so we’re back at the tighthead Wheel of Fortune. Lewis was the second-choice behind Francis for a while, and it’s nice to see him back and playing pretty well for Dragons, having missed most of the season through injury. His scrummaging needs to be strong, but as the largest and by far most experienced tighthead, the 3 jersey really should be his.

  4: Ben Carter

  With there only being 3 Wales-based locks in the squad, the question is more about composition than selection. Carter had a great Six Nations, has played almost the entire season for Dragons, and is a persistent defender who can help physically bind opposing attacks. He was used largely as a lineout controller during the Six Nations, though that may take a backseat for a more physical presence, as he’s the largest lock available

  5: Teddy Willams

  It’s all coming together: Teddy appears to be back in full training following his season-ending injury in October last year, and he’ll need to be at his best to stay with the squad going into the Nations Championship. Like Carter, his defensive workrate and lineout skills are very solid, but his faster and more athletic carrying style gives him a real point of difference. If he can disrupt Elliot Dee’s lineout, it’ll be a real achievement.

  6: James Botham

  Generally, Alex Mann has been the first choice at blindside under Tandy, but not only does Botham offer more physical go-forward and has finished his season in great form, Mann has spent most of the post-Six Nations period injured, ad Tandy will want to keep one of his key players available for the Championship. Botham may get the edge in turn, but should more than seize the opportunity.

  7: Jac Morgan

  Like Dewi, Jac could be rested for the test games, but there are fewer available back-rowers relative to hookers, so this will likely mark his return to international rugby. Of course, Jac is no stranger to injury breaks, and equally consistent with how well he plays on return; he’s already won Player of the Match in his short epilogue with the Ospreys, and Wales will value his leadership and ruck work alongside the similarly abrasive Botham.

  8: Aaron Wainwright

  Waino is the only Wales-based 8 (aside from the more versatile Harrison Keddie) so this should be a given. Arguably Wales’ overall player of the season, his powerful carries are as instrumental to Wales’ attack as his workrate is to their defence. The BaaBaas have a very big backrow, but it’s nothing he can’t handle. 

  9: Kieran Hardy

  Honestly, who knows; Tandy’s barely used anyone besides Tomos Williams so it’s anyone’s guess between the 3 Wales-based scrum-halves. Hardy has almost always been the back up, though, and started the last uncapped game against the Springboks, so it seems like a safe bet. He’s a great support player who tends to score more tries than Williams on average, though he’ll want to show he’s more than a backup if he wants anymore gametime.

  10: Sam Costelow

  A more controversial pick, but Edwards has played almost 80 minutes of almost every game this year and could use a break, and it’s fair to say Costelow’s strong Six Nations form ended too abruptly for how well he played against Scotland. Even if Edwards takes up the mantle against Fiji, Costelow’s stronger defence makes him a good fit against the Baabaas, and he could use some minutes under his belt if he’s brought in for the Championship tests.

  11: Mason Grady

  Winger is a tough one; there are five main options available, 3 of which have faced significant injury spells towards the end of the season. Ultimately, Grady was in strong form before being sidelined, and his physicality gives him a real selling point should Tandy wish to rest players higher up the pecking order like Josh Adams.

  12: Joe Hawkins

  Tandy could decide the Baabaas game is the perfect ground to test a centre combo with Eddie James at 12. Then again, with how much disruption the rest of the team is facing anyway, sticking with the main centre combo is also a smart move. Hawkins hasn’t played much at 12 and has arguably been in worse club form than Ben Thomas, but he offers more physicality and ended the Six Nations well.

  13: Eddie James

  Is he a 12 or a 13? Really, he’s both, but this is his current position. With a powerful carrying game and a great skill for reading attackers, he’s a natural fit for the jersey when stronger teams come around, and it’d be surprising if Tandy doesn’t try to get as much out of him as possible in preparation for the World Cup.

  14: Blair Murray

  While I was fairly set on Grady, Murray presents an awkward conundrum; Ellis Mee is higher up my pecking order (and likely Tandy’s) but wing might be a better fit for Murray than fullback at international level given his inconsistent airgame. If they’re going to try it, this is a good testing ground, and Ellis Mee’s injury towards the end of the season makes resting him another concern. Still, Murray’s pace, agility, and strong kicking game make him an asset to the Welsh backline.

  15: Tom Rogers

  Similarly to Murray, this might be a good place to test Rogers’ credentials as a fullback, especially with Louis Rees-Zammit wanting to be a winger. His move to Ospreys suggests this is his preferred position, though he’ll have competition there as well. Either way, he’s better under the high ball than Murray, has a strong kicking game, and can just as comfortably attack on his own.

  BENCH

  16: Evan Lloyd

  Ryan Elias and Liam Belcher are clearly above him in the pecking order, but Lloyd is the only one of the three to really gain from playing this fixture. His X-factor is clear, but he hasn’t managed to translate his power into a strong performance at international level. To earn a spot in the Nations Championship team, he’ll need to prove he can cut it at this level.

  17: Rhys Barratt

  Barratt’s overall game looks good, but the question will be if he can maintain that output at international level. Like Archie Griffin, he brings a constant defensive presence, but his scrummaging has looked a lot better this season than Griffin’s. With a lot of competition among the younger looseheads, this is a good opportunity to show how he compares.

  18: Ben Warren

  Between Warren and Sam Wainwright, there isn’t much separating them; they’re both the third choices at their clubs, and haven’t amassed much gametime for different reasons. Wainwright is more likely to lock down the scrum, but Warren is closer to Lewis in skillset; he can carry well, tackle hard, and get work done over the ball. I’m expecting both to get gametime at some point.

  19: Ryan Woodman

  Woodman prefers blindside, but is just as comfortable at lock. Still, his relative lack of size make the bench a more tactical choice; keeping the scrum at full power for the majority of the match, then leveraging his carrying game later on. His lineout stealing skills are also similar to Teddy Williams, so it’s synergistically fitting for him to replace the latter as well.

  20: Taine Plumtree

  Discipline aside, Plumtree finished his season strong after returning from injury. He’s consistently been one of the Scarlets’ strongest performers, and his dynamism and versatility make him a natural bench pick for Wales on any given day. With the backrow most likely to be trimmed down, and the other players’ hold over the starting jerseys, a strong performance here increases his likelihood of featuring in the bigger games.

  21: Harrison Keddie

  The Baabaas have a big backrow, as mentioned earlier, so a 6-2 bench will help manage their physicality. Keddie is the only other backrower besides Mann, and has had a strong season for Dragons as Waino’s deputy, so he’ll likely play a similar role here; carrying hard into contact, adding power in the ruck, and landing powerful hits in defence. His versatility is also helpful, like Plumtree, and he’ll want to prove he can compete at this level to retain a place in the squad.

  22: Reuben Morgan-Williams

  Ellis Bevan could fit in here, as he likely won’t get much opportunity otherwise, but even with this being his fourth successive Wales campaign, it feels like RMW has had just as little chance. Being slightly younger than Williams and Hardy, he may be viewed as their successor post-World Cup, but he’ll need more gametime after some promising touches and consistent regional performances.

  23: Joe Roberts

  Roberts also had a strong end to the season for Scarlets, and while it’s strange to forgo an option for fullback or fly-half cover, his attacking mindset could be helpful in the late game. Should Eddie James move to 12, he’s a natural partner, with the two having worked together for the better part of 2 years, and he’s had a lot more gametime out on the wing this season, should the need arise.

  2026.06.20