If the cap fits... who will get the chance to pull on their first seniorWales shirt on tour this summer?
IT’S well documented that Wales have only capped three new players since the 2015 World Cup – Ellis Jenkins, Sam Davies and Cory Hill.
No fewer than seven uncapped players were included in the Six OWEN WILLIAMS ONE of the seven unused uncapped players in the Six Nations squad. Now would seem the ideal moment to blood the Gloucester-bound Leicester Tiger – who can cover 10 and 12 – and maybe explore the dual playmaker strategy which has proved so successful for other sides. THOMAS YOUNG YOU can’t help feeling an opportunity was missed when the in-form Young was left off the bench for the Championship opener against Italy. But with four back rowers away with the Lions, this has to be the moment for the Wasps tyro, who can pack down on either flank. RHUN WILLIAMS STILL a teenager, but if you are good enough you are old enough and this north Walian certainly looks the real deal. After two eye-catching campaigns with the U20s and a series of classy outings for Cardiff Blues at both wing and full-back, he is ready to step up. GREG BATEMAN BORN in Surrey and represented England at age group, but Welsh qualified through his grandmother. At 28, he has plenty of experience after spells with London Welsh, Exeter and now Leicester, and could be a valuable tourist given he is able to cover tighthead and hooker. STEFF EVANS THERE was a clamour for the red-hot Evans to be selected on the wing during the Six Nations, but he had to settle for tackle bag and travelling reserve duties. However, with North, Liam Williams and Halfpenny all on Lions duty, he must be odds-on for a Nations squad, but not one of them got on the pitch even for a minute during the Championship.
All of which means there will be a pressing need to give some fresh faces a taste of international rugby on this summer’s South Seas tour. start in the Tonga tour opener. OLLIE GRIFFITHS MARKED out for big things for some time, having been the youngest captain in Newport’s history and skippering Wales U20s. Now, at 22, the rampaging Dragons flanker, who can play 6 or 7, is fulfilling that potential, as his Judgement Day Man-of-theMatch award showed. JACK ROBERTS IT’S been a slow burn for the strongrunning north Walian centre, who came up through the ranks with pal George North. But having joined Leicester in 2014 after spells with Llandovery and Rotherham, this has been his breakthrough season and a move to the Arms Park beckons. KEELAN GILES THE failure to get him on the field against Japan in the autumn still rankles as one of the oversights of the season, but now is the chance to make amends and reward a remarkable Rugby correspondent SIMON THOMAS looks at the uncapped contenders for the squad which is named by Robin McBryde next week. debut campaign that has brought him 13 tries in 16 games on the wing for the Ospreys. JAMES DAVIES FACES both a race against time to prove his fitness after shoulder damage and intense competition on the openside from the likes of Young, Griffiths and Ellis Jenkins. But the Olympian has made a heck of a case with his turnover heroics and footballing ability. JOSH ADAMS ONLY made the one appearance for the Scarlets, playing most of his rugby for the Llanelli club side before moving on to Worcester where he has really blossomed, scoring 13 tries for the Aviva Premiership team this season. The Swansea-born winger is lightning quick. WYN JONES A bit of an unsung hero, the Llandovery loosehead has been a real stalwart for the Scarlets this season, making 24 appearances as a virtual ever-present and putting in a huge amount of work around the field. Chances of making the trip may hinge on whether Gethin Jenkins is included. MACAULEY COOK HAS had an outstanding season for Cardiff Blues and, with Wales looking a little short in the second row, he must be in with a shot. Brings the appetite and athleticism of a back rower to the position and you won’t find many more wholehearted performers. RYAN ELIAS WITH fellow Carmarthen product and Scarlet Ken Owens off to New Zealand, there’s a real case for Elias making the Wales tour. The 22-yearold has more than just a home town in common with Owens, with his ball-carrying really standing out. He is a real presence. HUW TAYLOR HE was born in Shropshire and plays his rugby for Worcester, but this 20-year-old forward qualifies for Wales through a grandparent and is very much on the radar. At 6ft 5ins, and with an ability to play across the back-five of the scrum, he has a lot going for him. OLLY CRACKNELL ANOTHER of the unused new faces in the Six Nations squad, had an