Wales head coach Steve Tandy has confirmed that Wales will treat this Saturday's clash against the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham as a full Test match, despite the absence of 13 players based in England and France. Tandy named four new caps on the replacements bench but selected as strong a starting XV as possible.
Jac Morgan's return a 'brilliant lift'
Tandy expressed delight at having Jac Morgan back in the squad after injury. "It has been brilliant to get him in the environment. We've had a good four or five weeks training with him as well so that's been good. The energy he brings and the quality on top of that. We had him for less than a half against Argentina so it is a brilliant lift for the group."
Captaincy decision explained
On the decision to retain Dewi Lake as captain despite Morgan's return, Tandy said: "I don't think it was difficult. I took my time to think about it but when I looked at it with Jac coming back in I think Dewi has done an outstanding job in Jac's absence. I had a conversation with Jac. I think it tells you everything about the character Jac is. He was like 'I'm just honoured to be back in the squad.' He's a class human being and he'll be right there alongside Dewi."
New caps and returning players
Tandy highlighted the energy of Teddy Williams, playing his first game since October: "I think he'll bring loads of energy. There'll probably be a few nerves from him just coming back in the environment. He's a really smart guy as well so it has been awesome to have him back in."
On the four new caps on the bench — Ryan Woodman, Rhys Barratt, Ben Warren, and Harrison Keddie — Tandy said: "It's brilliant. As a coach it is brilliant to have the opportunity to see them as well and see the hard work and different stories. Ryan Woodman has been excellent, Rhys Barratt has done really well for Cardiff. Ben Warren has shown lots and Harrison Keddie, the story around him being almost in his thirties, it has been brilliant for him."
Selection calls and squad trimming
Explaining the omission of Josh Adams, Alex Mann, and James Botham, Tandy said: "Josh has come back a little bit later because of the quarter-final. He's been training well and we know how experienced Josh is. Manny (Alex Mann) has just been coming back into training. He's training fully now but when we've got fit guys ready to go who have done the whole camp we felt that was the right decision for selection. Jim is in that same boat."
Tandy confirmed the squad will be trimmed early next week: "It is going to be difficult but it is a great opportunity to set the market down. We will gather up on the weekend and make that final cut early next week."
Adapting to heat and facing George North
On the heat in training, Tandy said: "The S&C and medics are brilliant with that. We have a process with the temperature and the humidity. There's all processes in play but also it is about adapting to it. It will be a great opportunity to test that out on the weekend."
Regarding facing former Wales star George North, who plays for the Barbarians, Tandy said: "I think firstly congratulations to George on an amazing career and what he's done for Wales. He's been an outstanding player and a Wales great so it is probably fitting he goes out against Wales which is great. We know his attributes. He's big, strong and fast. It's a great opportunity to get our younger backs to go up against George and test themselves out."
Competition and Test match mentality
On facing Elliot Dee, also with the Barbarians, Tandy said: "I think it is brilliant. I have no doubt in my mind Elliot will be gunning for it which is what we want. That's what we want. We want more competition from boys who haven't been in this squad. We want it to be competitive. The more competition we create the better it is for our game moving forward."
Tandy emphasised the importance of treating the game as a Test match: "There's a bit of finding out but it is really important to us that we build. We haven't played together since the Italy game so how quickly can we find that cohesion. We are treating it as a Test match and the training week has been no different in the mindset and intensity. We've seen some of the players listed in that Barbarians team. If you are slightly off you are going to get punished both sides of the ball."
