Wales prepares for Barbarians clash with eight Scarlets in squad
Wales prepares for Barbarians challenge
Wales is set to face the Barbarians in a warm-up match at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, marking the beginning of their summer schedule. The fixture, which kicks off at 14:00, will see eight players from Scarlets included in the Welsh squad. This match is a precursor to the upcoming Nations Championship campaign, where Wales will play against Fiji, Argentina, and South Africa.
The Scarlets contingent will form the entire three-quarter line for Wales. This includes Blair Murray at full-back, with Tom Rogers and Ellis Mee on the wings. The midfield will feature Joe Hawkins and Eddie James. Additionally, flanker Taine Plumtree is named in the starting XV, while hooker Ryan Elias and Sam Costelow are listed among the replacements.
Four uncapped players are also part of the squad and could make their senior debut for Wales. These include Cardiff loose-head prop Rhys Barratt, Ospreys tight-head Ben Warren, and Dragons players Ryan Woodman (second row) and Harrison Keddie (back-rower). Head coach Steve Tandy expressed excitement for the summer to begin and highlighted the challenge the Barbarians will present.
Match expectations and player insights
Steve Tandy noted that the Barbarians are expected to provide a strong challenge with many skilled players, anticipating a high-paced game with numerous offloads. He views this as valuable preparation for the Nations Championship and the upcoming match against Fiji. Tandy also mentioned the team’s aim to build on their performance in the Six Nations, where they secured a victory against Italy.
Kieran Hardy, an Ospreys player with 31 international caps, is set to play against Faf de Klerk, who he believes has something to prove. De Klerk, a two-time World Cup winner, is returning to the international stage after not being included in South Africa‘s squad for the Nations Championship. Hardy described De Klerk as a player with energy across the field, noting his experience and significant role in South Africa‘s game management.
The match will also see George North conclude his career. North has scored 47 tries in 121 Tests for Wales. The game is part of a double-header event, with Wales Women also playing against the Barbarians at 17:00. Wales Women‘s team will be captained by Alex Callender, who is returning from injury. Eleven players in the women’s starting line-up are 22 or younger, and 14 have played Celtic Challenge rugby.
Looking ahead to the Nations Championship
The Barbarians fixture serves as a crucial warm-up for Wales as they embark on their Nations Championship journey. The tournament is scheduled to start next month and will run until November. Wales will play Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium on July 4, which is considered an away fixture for the team. Following this, they will travel to face Argentina and South Africa on consecutive weekends.
Steve Tandy emphasized the importance of consistency and continuous improvement for the group throughout the summer. He stated that the more games the team plays, the more consistent they can become. The team aims to build on their recent Six Nations performance and further develop as a cohesive unit. The match against the Barbarians is expected to be a high-intensity encounter, providing valuable experience for the squad before their championship fixtures.
The Wales Men starting lineup includes Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Eddie James, Joe Hawkins, Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy, Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (captain), Dillon Lewis, Ben Carter, Teddy Williams, Taine Plumtree, Jac Morgan, and Aaron Wainwright. The replacements include Ryan Elias, Rhys Barratt, Ben Warren, Ryan Woodman, Harrison Keddie, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Sam Costelow, and Mason Grady.
The Wales Women‘s team will feature Nel Metcalfe, Kelsie Webster, Courtney Keight, Jenna De Vera, Amy Williams, Kayleigh Powell, Seren Lockwood, Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Branwen Metcalfe, Jorja Aiono, Alisha Joyce, Alex Callender (captain), and Bryonie King. Their replacements are Kelsey Jones, Katherine Baverstock, Stella Orrin, Alaw Pyrs, Lucy Isaac, Lily Hawkins, Keira Bevan, and Freya Bell.
The match against the Barbarians is scheduled for Saturday at Allianz Stadium.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
Reuben Castle is the Sports News Writer at News GB, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from print into digital sport news. He holds a degree in Journalism from Coventry University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Coventry, he follows the Open Championship and amateur boxing. “Accuracy first; the analysis can follow.”
