My Wales Team – Autumn Series 2025
Steve Tandy definitely has his work cut out for him. After Sheratt’s short-lived tenure broke the losing streak with an eventual win over Japan, there at least remains some hope that the more experienced Tandy could make something out of the Welsh side over the next few seasons of international rugby. While the top 5 is out of the question, Wales should aim to be competitive with the bottom half of the top 10, as Fiji and Italy have failed to really break into that higher tier where Wales usually sit and Scotland struggle to reach above their usual ceiling.
Unfortunately, it seems World Rugby’s schedule generator has something against Wales once again; two fixtures against Rugby Championship heavyweights New Zealand and South Africa look unachievable, while Argentina only seem to be improving. Still, coming away from these fixtures with any credit at all might set Wales up for the next Six Nations, as though they were inevitably blown away by a blossoming England side, there were flashes of the kind of Wales team that could climb back to those aforementioned heights.
I’ll be breaking down my squad selection for the Autumn international series, noting what I think Steve Tandy might pick based on previous selection patterns as well as international and club form of individual players. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get into it.
General Playstyle:
Tandy’s backroom was initially defined by the appointment of Matt Sherratt as attack coach and Danny Wilson as forwards coach. Both of these players have experience with the Cardiff system, and were previously the head coaches of teams with fast-paced, playmaker-focused attacking strategies (Cardiff and Harlequins respectively). While Sherratt might not cause too many Cardiff players to be selected on his influence alone, it’s likely Tandy will pick players that will fit this attacking strategy. With two kicking coaches in the form of Rhys Patchell and Neil Jenkins, you’d expect more than one kicking option in some matchday 23s.
Dan Lydiate’s chop-tackling knowledge will likely be the reason behind his selection; Tandy usually varies his defensive strategies based on the teams he is playing, as shown during his experience as defence coach of Scotland. With a team like Wales, which can fit turnover specialists in just about every position, players who are good jackalers may also be prioritised among the forwards over hard-carriers; of course, both are needed.
Finally, Wales have struggled under Gatland to employ 6-2 splits due to a lack of experience and versatility in the side. Tandy and Wilson don’t usually play with teams that employ these tactics, but they are not foreign to them. If 6-2 splits are employed, as would be justified against physical-oriented sides like Argentina and South Africa, some utility backs will be needed.
Props:
Duncan Jones as a scrum coach has typically valued scrummaging props ahead of ones who are stronger around the field, as Wales has usually employed in the past. His appointment is probably too late to influence selection, but in an area where Wales have struggled in the past, it’s possible we could see some changes here.
Then again, Nicky Smith is pretty safe on loosehead; he’s Wales’ best scrummager and frequently punches above his weight. Though not in the best form lately, he has more than enough credit to start. Gareth Thomas’ chop-tackling work compliments Wales’ turnover specialists, so he’s a pretty safe bench pick and starter for the South Africa test. As for the third pick, with the other two into their 30s now, a younger option would be preferred. Rhys Barrett is dynamic and powerful for Cardiff, but his lack of experience at senior level and inconsistent scrummaging holds him back for me. Kemsley Mathias has struggled to impose himself in the Scarlets otherwise strong scrum, so I’d pick Garyn Phillips for being the best balance between the two.
As for the tightheads… uh, one of them? It’s the same story as always; Wales don’t have a lot to work with here. Archie Griffin is probably safe, as despite his awkward scrummaging, it’s shown signs of improvement and he’s the only consistent international tighthead we’ve seen. Kieron Assiratti has had a decent start to the season, and Henry Thomas’ experience in the successful Scarlets scrum might be enough to dissuade concerns about his recent form.
None of these are particularly destructive scrummagers, though and it’s possible Tandy could select an entirely different setup. Ben Warren and Sam Wainwright are larger men who have functioned well at the set piece before, and have been around the international camps enough to be on the watchlist for the coaching squad. There are risks to both approaches, and with how much Tandy could change elsewhere, I think he might just opt to work on the incumbents for now.
My Choices: Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Garyn Phillips, Archie Griffin, Henry Thomas, Kieron Assiratti
Injury Cover: Rhys Barratt, Ben Warren
Hookers:
An easier selection. Dewi Lake is one of Wales’ best players, and brings both leadership and physicality to the front row; he plays with the dynamism and defensive workrate of a backrower, and is instrumental to one of Wales’ strongest weapons in the driving maul. After that, Elliot Dee is the incumbent replacement for a reason; he’s more reliable in the fundamentals, as Lake’s lineout darts aren’t exactly world-class, and does his job consistently. However, he was injured in his region’s match against Ulster, and injury might limit his gametime.
Liam Belcher is a clear-cut replacement for his defensive solidarity and better darts, but with Jones’ appointment at scrum coach, his larger teammate Evan Lloyd might be preferred. Though not Cardiff’s starter, he is a player with a high-ceiling who has improved upon his return from an awkward Six Nations campaign, and I think to maintain the integrity of the pack against some of the world’s largest forwards, Lloyd might be preferred in the initial squad.
My Choices: Dewi Lake, Elliot Dee, Evan Lloyd
Injury Cover: Liam Belcher
Locks:
Thankfully, a more well-stocked position for Wales, though this does mean good players will miss out. To start, Dafydd Jenkins and Adam Beard are clear-cut inclusions; Jenkins’ workrate is frankly absurd, and his well-rounded skillset and leadership makes it easy to forget he’s only 22 years old; on the other hand, Beard is a lineout specialist with much more experience than Wales’ other options, and mirrors the kind of locks that Jenkins usually pairs with. However, with both based outside of Wales, the remaining options will need to be closer to home for the South Africa test.
Initially, Teddy Williams’ lineout skills and athleticism would have made him the ideal bench pick to partner the other two, but his ankle injury will cause him to miss the campaign, which complicates things a lot. None of the other locks are as dominant in the lineout, so his loss will be notable. A player who is returning from injury however is Ben Carter, who’s been one of the Dragons’ best players in recent years and his defensive capabilities are unmatched among the locks. Being able to act as either an enforcer or lineout taker makes him more versatile than other options off the bench, and his proven international ability gives him another edge.
For the South Africa game, set-piece dominance will be huge. While James Ratti’s bench versatility or Matthew Screech’s experience could be valuable, Rhys Davies has had a solid season since returning for the Ospreys from his injury crisis, while James Fender’s lineout skills will be very valuable in the absence of Teddy Williams, and he deserves his first cap after so long on the sidelines.
My Choices: Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, Ben Carter, Rhys Davies, James Fender
Injury Cover: James Ratti, Matthew Screech
Back-Row:
One of Wales’ strengths; the back-row has 4 man depth in all positions and has a solid blend of youth and experience, as well as different skillsets that make it hard to pick only 6. Still, Jac Morgan, Taulupe Faletau and Aaron Wainwright all have earned their constant call-ups and are almost certain to retain their positions in the squad for the time being, assuming the first two recover from injuries in time.
Tommy Reffell had a slower start to the season, but his past international form will keep him firmly in the reserve openside jersey. Speaking of past internationals, Ross Moriarty’s solid form for the Ospreys and role as a physical enforcer makes him a natural blindside flanker, while his presence at the lineout would be instrumental alongside Morgan’s non-jumping. With Taine Plumtree struggling for form, he takes his spot despite the Scarlets man’s athleticism.
For the last choice, it’s between two young players who have had solid starts; Alex Mann and Morgan Morse. Mann is a better breakdown and lineout operator who can generate turnovers and whose workrate and athleticism more than compensates for his smaller size; he’s more of a one-to-one replacement for Reffell. Morse, meanwhile, is more of an aggressive carrier, who doesn’t back down even against very physical teams like the Stormers or Bulls, but could be considered excess requirements with the presence of Faletau and Wainwright. Given both players will be available for the South Africa test, it’s harder to justify his inclusion unless the former gets injured again, but his time will likely come sooner rather than later
My Choices: Jac Morgan, Taulupe Faletau, Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Ross Moriarty, Alex Mann
Injury Cover: Taine Plumtree, Morgan Morse, Alun Lawrence
Scrum-Half:
Tomos Williams is a British and Irish Lion now, so that’s an easy decision there. As Gloucester’s new captain, his team hasn’t kicked off yet, but his ceiling is high and proven at international level. After him, however, is where things become more open-ended. Kieran Hardy and Rhodri Williams are both experienced players who’ve been in and out of the Wales jersey over the past year or so, while Reuben Morgan-Williams was capped over the summer. All are in good form for their clubs, so it comes down to how Tandy wants to play.
On top of being the younger option, RMW showed his potential in the second Japan test that was overlooked by Gatland, and his kicking game is more utilised than club-mate Hardy, who had a more polarising summer. The Ospreys prefer Hardy, for his ability to run strong support lines and finish plays a bit better than RMW, but it really comes down to what Tandy wants to do. Rhodri is more of a complete package; he tends to kick a lot for the Dragons and his game-management skills suit a slower kick-chase game, while retaining an ability to make good breaks through weakened defences. I think the other two make better impact players for Tomos, though any combination of the 3 could work.
My Choices: Tomos Williams, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Kieran Hardy
Injury Cover: Rhodri Williams
Fly Half:
A problem position for Wales in the past, but I think we’re starting to figure it out, unlike tighthead and centre. Dan Edwards has been in great form for the Ospreys over the past few seasons, and in the second Japan test, he showed what he could bring to an international jersey. As a great triple-threat, he would suit a Matt Sherratt attacking system very well.
The actual question for this section is who would partner him. Sam Costelow has been the other main fly-half for Wales recently, but he’s struggled to succeed Dan Biggar as intended due to his struggling confidence and game management. Despite the controversy, I think he’s a fine player, but not what Wales need right now. As similar, but more experienced fly-halves to Edwards, I think it might come down to either Jarrod Evans or Callum Sheedy.
Both are actually very similar in stats, are attack-minded operators, and by playing for Harlequins and Cardiff respectively, they are both familiar with the existing coaching setup. Evans has had a more recent call-up in the Six Nations, but Sheedy has had better form at club level this season, though his kicking at the tee is a concern. It depends if Tandy wants a second out-and-out fly-half available for the South Africa test
My Choices: Dan Edwards, Jarrod Evans
Injury Cover: Callum Sheedy
Centres:
Given the inclusion of Matt Sherratt as attack coach, I think it’s likely that Tandy will employ a Cardiff-style centre combination to guide the attack. Ben Thomas is this man for both Cardiff and Wales, and is the safest bet for inclusion given his incumbent status, solid international performances, and unique skillset. Even if he isn’t the starting 12, being able to play 10 and 15 too gives him bench versatility few players can compete with.
He’s usually partnered with Max Llewellyn, who offers a larger carrying option and fits the Cardiff mold of attack well, as Gloucester use him similarly. Plus, his versatility by being able to cover 12, 11, and 14 is a huge bonus in the absence of Mason Grady. With Owen Watkin injured, 13 options are very limited, but Joe Roberts has retained solid form in an otherwise struggling Scarlets team. Harri Millard has also added some better defensive and game-reading work to his usual attacking prowess, bringing him closer to an international-standard centre, while Louis Hennessey’s size makes him an outside bet.
For 12s, Kieran Williams’ great form for the Ospreys should see him get in minus injuries, and while smaller than Johnny Williams, he’s quicker and makes good line breaks. Williams started both Japan tests at 13, and is probably being included for his strength and versatility, but hasn’t really impressed me at international level yet. Nick Tompkins is also in great form for the Saracens, and his defensive skill and experience will be helpful in a relatively inexperienced backline. Like Johnny Williams, he can also cover 13 if needed, though he won’t be available for the South Africa test. It comes down to whether Tandy prefers power or finesse if he opts for a fifth centre.
My Choices: Ben Thomas, Max Llewellyn, Kieran Williams, Joe Roberts
Injury Cover: Johnny Williams, Harri Millard
Wings:
One of the higher-quality areas of the Wales squad, with a nice blend of youth and experience and multiple players. Josh Adams and Tom Rogers are the incumbents from Japan, and they have had more than enough positives this year to retain their places. A lot of question marks hang over Louis Rees-Zammit’s injury against Saracens, and he might at least miss the start of the tour, but ever since he’s returned from the NFL, he’s been excellent for Bristol and should quickly return to his best rugby for Wales.
Mason Grady’s physicality and bench versatility would be great here if he wasn’t injured, so one of the more recent call ups will make it instead of him and/or Rees-Zammit. Keelan Giles was excellent in Japan and has had a solid run of form for the Ospreys this season, and is a player who really should have more caps than he does. Tom Bowen is another similar winger, who is less experienced but has had an even better run of form for Cardiff. He’s young, but his X-factor might just be enough to win him a call up.
Ellis Mee was very good in the Six Nations despite also lacking on the experience front, while Rio Dyer might be hard done by to have seemingly dropped as far down the pecking order as he has. Players like Millard, Hennessey, and Jacob Beetham could also be surprise picks on the wing. Someone of quality will miss out either way, so it depends on Tandy and Sherratt’s attack plan.
My Choices: Josh Adams, Tom Rogers, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tom Bowen
Injury Cover: Keelan Giles, Ellis Mee
Fullback:
Very straightforward here, thankfully. Blair Murray is one of Wales’ most valuable players right now; his aerial game is solid despite his small size, and his footwork, game-reading, and pace make him a deadly counterattacker. He really doesn’t play like someone of his level of experience, so he’s very safe. Fullback might not be his preferred position, but in the short-term I think we leave him here.
As for the second choice, Cam Winnett is very consistent and has the necessary skills, though his defence has struggled in the past at international level. Still, his skill under the high ball and established portfolio make him the likely second choice. Huw Anderson is still emerging, though he’s made a decent start, while Liam Williams hasn’t really had much opportunity to earn a call-up compared to the rest, though his experience is valuable with how limited that is in this position.
My Choices: Blair Murray, Cameron Winnett
Injury Cover: Liam Williams
Utility Back:
One last spot to go, and if 6-2 splits need to be deployed against Argentina and South Africa, a utility back will be valuable to fit in at multiple positions. Capped players such as Ioan Lloyd and Ben Thomas have the versatility to fill that 23 jersey, but they’ve mostly played at 10 or 12 respectively this season. Angus O’Brien has been fairly solid for the Dragons lately, while Joe Hawkins’ return to the Scarlets has had him playing a lot more 10 than 12, where he’s looked very comfortable.
But ultimately, Jacob Beetham has had them beat in versatility. Covering for Cardiff’s injured players like Mason Grady and Theo Cabango, as well Ben Thomas’ suspension, he’s fitted in 4 different positions in 4 games (12, 13, 14, 15), and barring some discipline issues at 13, he’s been solid in all of them. Plus, he’s a goal kicker and Gatland even viewed him as a fly-half, a position he has played in the past. I don’t think he’s an international starter yet, but with the number of injuries in the squad, his flexibility and defensive consistency give him a unique role that opens up some more combinations and keeps the squad harder to predict.
My Pick: Jacob Beetham
Injury Cover: An extra centre or fly-half
Summary
Overall, it’s hard to pick apart selections when we can’t be entirely sure on how Tandy will shape Wales’ identity. A fast and free-flowing style with plenty of jackal threats for defensive work makes sense, and closely aligns with both Cardiff and Harlequins’ identities, but at international rugby, flexibility and power are needed; that was what Sherratt struggled with in the interim period. Areas of weakness like the props and 13 could see entirely new players and combinations called up to better fit with systems that don’t officially exist yet, and while I think most of my picks will align with Tandy’s, it remains to be seen how the national side’s playstyle will take shape.
Even though I’m largely optimistic about our coaching appointments and player pool, expecting more than a win against Japan feels like too much to dream. Still, identifying our strengths will give us a platform for the next Six Nations and hopefully avoid a third Wooden Spoon. Rebuilding Welsh Rugby is a monumental task, but once the WRU’s plan for the regional game has been set, this series should show us the way forward.
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