Former Wales internationals Jonathan Davies, Ellis Jenkins and James Hook have named players they think could be World Cup bolters, with young centres Steff Emanuel and Louie Hennessey tipped to challenge the incumbent midfield partnership of Joe Hawkins and Eddie James.
Midfield under threat
The Scarlets pair have been Steve Tandy's go-to men throughout the first year of his reign, but Wales' attack has failed to ignite. Appearing on BBC Scrum V, Jenkins said: "There's a couple of players I like. Steff Emanuel at Cardiff. I've watched him a lot. He's got a real, real talent. All it takes is for him to get a couple of games for Cardiff in the centre and I can see him playing himself in."
"Louie Hennessey is a real talent and it's whether he can force his way into the starting team."
Davies added: "I think the midfield needs to find a second partnership. Joe Hawkins and Eddie James showed promise in the Six Nations at the end but in the summer games I just felt they went off the boil. I think there's an opportunity for Steff Emanuel, Louie Hennessey, maybe Joe Roberts to get back in the frame."
"Steve Tandy has had the job a year now. We've seen growth in areas, a direction to where this team wants to go, but there's still a lot of work to be done in terms of defence, attack and how we use the ball. I feel like we keep the ball for periods of time but we don't seem to expose any threats."
Hook, who identified versatile Cardiff back Jacob Beetham as his one to watch, said: "I agree. That is a major work on for us. In all the last eight games we have been outdone on line breaks. We need some attacking threat and X-factor in the backline. The best teams are making line breaks and getting over the gainline that way."
Former young player of the year retires at 31
Former World Rugby young player of the year James Chisholm has been forced to retire from professional rugby at the age of 31. The Harlequins back row, crowned the world's best young player in 2015, has called time on his career after being unable to recover from a ruptured Achilles suffered in January 2025.
Chisholm spent his entire professional career with Quins, making 164 appearances and scoring 21 tries, while helping the club win the Premiership title in 2020-21. "My recovery from the Achilles has been a bit of an uphill battle and unfortunately my body just can't get there," Chisholm said. "I still have the want to play and was really looking forward to this season and gave pre-season my all. We tried everything but I just couldn't get there. I feel okay about it all and I am at peace with the decision now."
Harlequins head coach Jason Gilmore paid tribute: "He's been a formidable player on the pitch and a great character off it too, he's a team-first man who has been so good for our environment, even through the tough moments he has experienced. Being a one-club man is rare these days too, so to have played his whole career as a Harlequin is a fantastic achievement. It's disappointing for him, and us, that his time representing the club on the pitch has come to a premature end. We're committed to supporting him through the next steps of his career, whatever that may be."
England international has red card rescinded
England international Nick Isiekwe will be available for Saracens' next Premiership fixture after his red card against Leicester was rescinded at a disciplinary hearing. The 28-year-old forward was shown a 20-minute red card during Saracens' 40-38 victory over Leicester Tigers on Saturday following a high tackle on full-back Freddie Steward.
Steward provided a statement and live evidence at the hearing, telling the independent panel that he did not suspect any foul play by Isiekwe. Both players described the head contact as "glancing", although the panel said it did not fully accept that description. However, it concluded that the degree of force involved was "low to mid and not high", resulting in the red card being rescinded. The decision means Isiekwe is free to play when Saracens host Sale Sharks on Sunday, with kick-off at 3pm.
