As Steve Tandy selects his Wales squad for the second instalment of the Nations Championship in November, the Rugby World Cup will inevitably be in his thoughts. Tandy’s immediate aim is to put Wales in a position to be competitive and give a good account of themselves when they head to Australia next year.
Much of his work has focused on blooding younger players, exposing them to the demands of Test rugby while building combinations and giving them experience of the international game. But Tandy could do worse than look in the opposite direction, particularly at two players whose lack of Wales opportunities is somewhat of a mystery to so many supporters who watch them produce outstanding performances on a weekly basis.
Thomas Young: A Complete Back-Rower Overlooked
Few players in the United Rugby Championship have had as significant an impact as Thomas Young. The Dragons back-rower may be 34, but he remains one of the most influential forwards in Welsh rugby. Indeed, there is a compelling case that Young is currently the best back-rower in Wales.
Young has been unfortunate in that much of his international career has coincided with a succession of world-class openside flankers, from Sam Warburton to Justin Tipuric and, more recently, Jac Morgan. Openside is one position where Wales have genuine strength in depth. Morgan, Tommy Reffell, James Botham, Josh Macleod and Harri Deaves have all played Test rugby over the past year.
Yet, with the exception of Morgan, Young is arguably a more complete player than any of them and offers Wales something different. Reffell and Macleod are highly effective at the breakdown and relentless in their work, while Deaves and Botham bring energy and athleticism across the field.
Young, though, has the ability to change a game. The Dragons flanker is effective at the breakdown, but he is also an explosive ball carrier, a ferocious defender and an accomplished footballer with the skills to link play in the wider channels. He demonstrated all of that in the Dragons’ opening game of the season, producing an outstanding performance in their respectable draw in Treviso and being named player of the match.
Dan Thomas: A Consistent Performer Ignored
It is remarkable that a player of Young’s quality has won only four caps for Wales, particularly given how consistently he performed as one of the outstanding sevens in the Gallagher Prem during his years with Wasps. At 34, time is no longer on Young’s side, but that should not prevent him from being considered as Wales build towards the World Cup. If anything, his experience and the range of qualities he brings could prove valuable as Tandy weighs up his options.
Tandy could also do worse than cast an eye towards Cardiff and Dan Thomas. The openside has been one of the most consistent performers in the URC and has a strong case for being involved ahead of some of the other options in contention. Indeed, the fact he has never been picked by Wales has left many supporters scratching their heads, given his consistent level of performance in Wales and the English Premiership over the years.
Thomas finished last season as the URC’s leading tackler, making 263, while his 18 turnovers ranked third in the competition. He is an immensely physical player with a huge engine and an appetite for work that makes him ideally suited to the demands of Test rugby. At 32, he is hardly beyond consideration for a World Cup squad either.
Thomas is another player who excelled in England with Bristol Bears before returning to Wales with Cardiff. “There is no doubt that I believe one day he will be good enough to play for Wales,” said Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam back in 2018.
That particular prediction has yet to come true, but on current form both Young and Thomas deserve to be in the conversation for Wales. They are experienced, physical and in excellent form, and arguably have the edge of other rivals for the number seven shirt as Tandy looks towards the World Cup.
