Wales head coach Steve Tandy has said he is open to picking Liam Wright in the future, while clarifying that he views centre Eddie James primarily as an outside centre rather than an inside centre.
Tandy open to Wright selection
Wright, capped six times for Australia and captain of his side, signed for the Ospreys this summer. The 28-year-old has a grandfather from Pembroke and will become eligible for Wales next summer after a three-year stand down period since last playing for the Wallabies.
Supporters have voiced their approval of the flanker after his impressive start with the Swansea-based side. Tandy, while keeping his cards close to his chest, said he would be open to bringing in Wright and players of his calibre.
"No, I haven't spoken, I'm aware of it all," he said of Wright's possible eligibility on BBC Scrum V. "We are always aware of people who could potentially play for Wales. We are open to that and at the end of the day he's a real talented individual at the highest level then like I said, we'd rule no-one out of the mix."
Wright's Welsh heritage
Born in Durban, Wright spent his early years in South Africa before moving to Sydney at age seven. He previously told WalesOnline: "My family history isn't that well-known to me. My dad's dad passed recently and we probably left a few stories there (in South Africa)."
"But once then process started to go a bit further ahead, that's when I really only learned that my grandpa was from Pembroke, as were his parents. So that wasn't a factor in the decision, but I think it's just really cool. It's something my fiancée and I have been talking about where it's just almost meant to happen in a way."
On his Welsh qualification, he added: "That's something I only found out when I was talking to the media team about the release. I said, 'Yeah, I've just kind of learned about my Welsh heritage,' and then once that came out, you saw everyone jump onto that. It's not something I've really considered."
Wright said he would focus on performing for the Ospreys before considering international rugby: "Having been in an international setup, I know how much it takes to get into there and to really put your performances forward, so it's something I'll just work hard towards. I think being out of the game a little bit, you realize how much needs to go into the performance."
Tandy makes James role clear
Tandy said he sees Eddie James as more of a 13 rather than a 12. Despite calls from former Wales internationals for a more physical presence at inside centre, Tandy prefers a playmaker at 12, with Joe Hawkins and Ben Thomas previously favoured.
"I see Eddie more as a 13," Tandy told Scrum V. "I think he can definitely play 12, as you've seen for the Scarlets, but for me I see him in our team at the minute more of a 13 that can play 12."
Asked whether he wanted more of a playmaker at 12, Tandy added: "I think that's where we are at. With the 13s, Louie (Hennessey), Max (Llewellyn) and Eddie, big frames, they can still carry, there is lots of inter-changeability in the 12s and 13s, that's not to rule out Eddie playing 12 for us or Max Llewellyn."
Former Wales internationals Sam Warburton and James Hook have spoken about moving James to inside centre. Warburton said in July: "I would always pick Eddie James and I would always pick Max Llewellyn. I think it takes a certain type of player to play international rugby. It's different to the club game. International rugby is very, very different to club rugby. That's why I would pick those players."
Ex-Wales fly-half James Hook told BBC Radio Wales: "Wales have got physical players they could have picked like Eddie. It's about how you use players like that." Jonathan 'Foxy' Davies concurred, saying last summer: "Ben and Max were the preferred centre partnership way back last November and get an opportunity. Do I think it's the right choice? I don't. I would have liked to see Eddie move to 12 and play Max at 13."
Andrews autopsy to take place
Reports in South Africa state an autopsy on Hyron Andrews will take place in the next 24 hours. The lock passed away at the Lions' hotel ahead of their Champions Cup match last week.
According to the South African club, the autopsy will be completed imminently, and the club will be guided by Andrews' family in terms of releasing information. Assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys said: "The sorrow everyone felt, and the way it was handled, felt authentic. The way it was handled - locally, abroad, our leadership, coaches and management and players - felt really respectful and that gave us, to a big extent, some closure."
"Everyone grieves differently. You have to respect everyone's process," he added. "We just said we want to be respectful towards the family at this time. That was our viewpoint from the start. How can we be most respectful towards the family, in our actions, what we decide?"
