Wales take on the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium Twickenham next Saturday ahead of the Nations Championship. Steve Tandy is expected to be without 15 of his squad because the game falls outside of World Rugby's designated international window. But even so, the Wales coach should still be able to select a strong side. This is the matchday squad he is likely to select.
Starting XV
15. Blair Murray
Louis Rees-Zammit is unavailable for the Barbarians game, so Tandy will have to look at alternative options, particularly with the Bristol man declaring he wants to remain a winger going forward. Blair Murray was Tandy's full-back during the autumn, although concerns surrounded his aerial ability. Tom Rogers and Ellis Mee are other potential options, but Tandy is likely to go with Murray's attacking threat.
14. Mason Grady
The Cardiff wing is currently recovering from a fractured thumb but is expected to be fit by the time Wales face the Barbarians. Grady is a very effective runner when put into space; his size, explosive power, and space are potentially big assets to this Wales side.
13. Eddie James
Many experts believe James's best position is inside centre. That might be the case in the long run, but Tandy might want to go for continuity this summer. James is a very powerful ball carrier capable of making significant post-contact metres.
12. Joe Hawkins
Hawkins' partnership with James improved as the Six Nations wore on. While Tandy could look at Bryn Bradley at some point, the Harlequins centre is unavailable against the Barbarians. The Scarlets centre is a talented footballer with a physical presence, and his distribution is generally very good.
11. Josh Adams
The 31-year-old finished the season strongly for Cardiff, and his experience will be important for Wales moving towards the Rugby World Cup. Adams is strong both under the high ball and in defence, while he is also a potent finisher.
10. Dan Edwards
The Ospreys outside-half finished the Six Nations with an outstanding individual performance in the victory over Italy at the Principality Stadium. Edwards will relish the challenge the Barbarians will present, and his attacking instincts should come to the fore.
9. Kieran Hardy
This is a good opportunity for the 30-year-old with Tomos Williams unavailable. Tandy also has the option of Reuben Morgan-Williams and Ellis Bevan, but based on recent selections, Hardy is higher up the pecking order.
8. Aaron Wainwright
The 28-year-old was Wales' best player during the Six Nations and elevated his game to a whole new level. Wainwright is a dynamic ball carrier who is extremely physical and is also effective when put into space, where his skillset comes to the fore.
7. Jac Morgan
Tandy will be delighted to see Morgan fit again after the 26-year-old missed the Six Nations due to dislocating his shoulder against Argentina last autumn. Morgan is a world-class player and one of the first names on Tandy's team sheet. His return creates intense competition for the number six shirt given how well certain players performed in his absence.
6. James Botham
Wales have some strong options at blindside flanker, but Botham had a fine Six Nations campaign. The 28-year-old has a huge engine and gets through a mountain of unseen work in defence, while he also offers himself as a carrier.
5. Teddy Williams
The 25-year-old has not played since dislocating his foot against Connacht last October. But he is expected to be fit by the time the Barbarians game comes around, and this is the perfect opportunity for Tandy to give the Cardiff lock a run out. Wales are also without Dafydd Jenkins, Freddie Thomas, and potentially Adam Beard, as the Top 14 final is the same day as the Barbarians fixture.
4. Ben Carter
The Dragons lock stepped into Adam Beard's shoes in Wales' narrow defeat against Scotland and impressed. Carter called the lineout during the Six Nations and is a workhorse who puts his body on the line. It will be interesting to see how he kicks on this summer.
3. Dillon Lewis
The 30-year-old has not played for Wales since March 2024, so he will undoubtedly be chomping at the bit to represent his country again. Lewis will arguably be Wales' most important player this summer given the injuries at tighthead, with Tomas Francis, Archie Griffin, and Keiron Assiratti all unavailable.
2. Dewi Lake (Captain)
The Gloucester-bound hooker missed the latter part of the Ospreys' season after undergoing shoulder surgery, but he is expected to be fit this summer. Lake was outstanding towards the back end of the Six Nations as Wales' lineout improved dramatically, while he also carried well.
1. Gareth Thomas
With Rhys Carré and Nicky Smith unavailable, the Barbarians fixture could prove a good opportunity for Thomas. The experienced Ospreys prop was a Wales regular up until recently and will want his shirt back.
Replacements
16. Evan Lloyd
If this were a Test match, Ryan Elias would be on the bench, but Tandy might want to use his bench to look at certain players. Lloyd could thrive when the game is looser in the second half.
17. Rhys Barratt
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a fine season with Cardiff and thoroughly deserves his place in the Wales squad. Barratt offers a huge amount around the park.
18. Ben Warren
Wales have been hit by a plethora of injuries at tighthead, but this could be the uncapped Warren's breakthrough campaign.
19. Ryan Woodman
Wales are without three front-line locks against the Barbarians, so Woodman may have to cover the second row. The former Wales U20s captain is a fine prospect who has gone well for the Dragons this season.
20. Taine Plumtree
The Scarlets man has his critics, but when at his best, he can be very effective. Plumtree would thrive in a looser game against the Barbarians.
21. Reuben Morgan-Williams
The Ospreys scrum-half has had to bide his time with Wales and will be eager to make an impact.
22. Sam Costelow
The Scarlets playmaker has not played since injuring his shoulder against Scotland. But at his best, Costelow can be very effective, and his battle with Dan Edwards for the number 10 shirt can only be a good thing moving forward.
23. Ellis Mee
The Scarlets man is strong under the high ball and a decent broken field runner who can cover wing and full-back.
