Could this crop of talented young guns be Wales’ next famous five?
THROUGHOUT the course of Wales’ calamitous Six Nations campaign, which ended with a first Wooden Spoon for 21 years, the narrative was all geared towards development.
While losing all five games was bitterly disappointing as far as Warren Gatland and the Welsh Rugby Union are concerned, it’s a case of short-term pain for long-term gain.
Whether that is the case remains to be seen, but a host of players between 20-23 gave a good account of themselves over the past couple of months.
The likes of Cameron Winnett, Mackenzie Martin, Dafydd Jenkins and Alex Mann all got valuable game-time during the Six Nations.
Gatland has already been very clear he will continue to develop this squad over the summer when Wales face South Africa at Twickenham, two Tests against the Wallabies in Australia and an exhibition match against the Queensland Reds.
Rugby correspondent STEFFAN THOMAS selects the next crop of youngsters in with a chance of representing Wales this summer.
JOSH HATHAWAY
THE 20-year-old made his English Premiership debut for Gloucester on Friday night and played a pivotal role in his side’s first victory against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road in 17 attempts.
Prior to that the lively wing was outstanding in Gloucester’s Premiership Cup- winning campaign.
Hathaway was born and raised in Aberystwyth but is also Englishqualified, having represented both Wales and England at U20s level, so it remains to be seen what his preference will be at senior international level.
Wales’ first choice back-three of Josh Adams, Rio Dyer and Winnett isn’t bad but following Louis ReesZammit’s shock switch to American Football and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s decision to represent England, the options are thin on the ground in the event of an injury crisis.
Hathaway, who can play wing or full-back, is a very talented footballer with a devastating turn of pace and an excellent kicking game.
Yes, he has much to work on but Wales cannot afford to lose another player with a high ceiling to Steve Borthwick’s England.
The Wales management could do worse than call Hathaway into the squad this summer to avoid a future tug of war with England down the line.
He is also somebody who could develop into a real asset over the next few years.
JACOB BEETHAM
THE 22-year-old Cardiff man is already on Wales’ radar having been called up to train with the squad during the Six Nations.
Those who have worked closely with him are adamant he has the potential to hit the heights as an international, and it is likely he would have been capped by now if he hadn’t suffered a serious ACL injury back in 2022.
Beetham is beginning to string a run of games together for Cardiff and crucially has the size to excel in the international career. While more accustomed to the backthree, Beetham can also play inside centre.
The Cardiff star has supreme aerial ability and is defensively solid. Beetham is also an explosive runner with bags of gas and is a talented footballer.
The former Cardiff & Vale College student has many admirers, one of which is Gregor Townsend who was keen to select Beetham in Scotland’s Six Nations squad, while he also qualifies for England.
EDDIE JAMES
THE Carmarthen centre has been one of the only shining lights in a very dark season for the Scarlets this season.
At 6ft 3ins and 103kg James cer
tainly has the size to hold his own in the international arena from a physical point of view.
James is a very explosive centre who has the potential to make serious metres when carrying into contact, while his footwork is also a big weapon of his.
The 21-year-old is also a very good footballer with strong distribution and offloading skills, although his decision- making under pressure needs to improve.
Following George North’s retirement from Test rugby Wales need to find a way to get over the gainline in midfield and James is someone who could potentially get them on the front foot.
WILL DAVIES-KING
THE Cardiff tighthead was included in Wales’ extended Rugby World Cup training squad but had to withdraw due to a foot injury.
Davies-King is a big man and was excellent on Friday night as Cardiff came within inches of beating Glasgow at Scotstoun with his scrummaging a real plus point.
Tighthead prop is arguably Wales’ weakest area at this moment in time, with the scrum creaking on more than one occasion during the Six Nations.
With that in mind Davies-King is definitely worth looking at this summer.
MORGAN MORSE
THE sky’s the limit for the 19-year-old Ospreys No 8 who is regarded by those in the upper echelons of Welsh rugby as one of the brightest prospects in the game.
Morse is a really dynamic and explosive ball carryier who gets over the gainline, while his work-rate is top notch.
It really is a matter of when not if he plays for Wales, and even though he is due to represent the U20s in the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa this summer it wouldn’t be a surprise if his name was included in the senior men’s team.
Looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup in Australia it would be a shock if Morse wasn’t heavily involved with Wales by then.