Ben Carter, the Dragons second-row, has transformed himself into a crucial starter for Wales under defence coach Steve Tandy. His lineout calling has been a revelation, with Wales winning 91% of their lineouts in games he starts, compared to 84% without him.
Lineout Success Under Carter
Since taking over as lineout caller midway through the 2026 Six Nations, Carter has been instrumental. Against Fiji on July 6, 2026, Wales lost only one of 16 lineouts after an initial steal, with Carter calling to himself for driving mauls that led to tries by Jac Morgan (two) and Ryan Elias.
Wales' lineout success rate in the 2026 Six Nations reached 93.4%, a stark contrast to the 2022 and 2023 tournaments where they had the worst record. Under previous coach Wayne Pivac, Wales fluctuated between high-risk approaches, but under Tandy, Carter has brought stability.
Impact on Wales' Set-Piece
“Ben Carter has been a revelation since being handed the starting jersey earlier this year,” noted a rugby correspondent. “There was a sense he had more to offer, but now he undeniably does.” Carter's tackling is also strong; against Fiji, he missed zero tackles, second only to Jac Morgan in tackle count.
At Twickenham in the Six Nations opener, Wales lost four lineouts officially, but Carter's calling has since improved confidence. The driving maul, stemming from his calls, has become a key weapon.
Future Potential
While Wales have focused on ball-winning rather than ball-playing lineouts, signs against the Barbarians suggest potential for more varied attacks. “Crucially, in both games, Wales look a lot more confident in their lineout than previously,” the report added. With Carter's leadership, the lineout could become a platform for more than just driving mauls.
