Wales team: Four uncapped players named as British and Irish Lions star returns for Barbarians fixture
Wales head coach Steve Tandy (left) has named his side for the Barbarians, with Jac Morgan (right) back involved
Wales head coach Steve Tandy has named four uncapped players in his extended 23-man match-day squad to take on the Barbarians, while Jac Morgan also makes his return to the side.
The British and Irish Lions Test star missed the Six Nations through a shoulder injury, but comes straight into the starting line-up for the meeting with the famous invitational team at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Elsewhere, Dewi Lake will also lead out the squad after being named as captain earlier this week.
Four uncapped players in Wales team for Barbarians clash
Tandy has named arguably his strongest possible starting XV for the uncapped fixture this Saturday (27 June), with some key men included as Wales look to build continuity into the Nations Championship.
Blair Murray starts at full-back, with Tom Rogers and Ellis Mee named on the wings. Eddie James and Joe Hawkins continue their blossoming midfield partnership from the Six Nations, being named at outside centre and inside centre, respectively. Dan Edwards and Kieran Hardy form the half-back pairing.
The aforementioned Morgan comes into a strong back-row alongside number eight Aaron Wainwright and flanker Taine Plumtree. Teddy Williams and Ben Carter start in the locks, while the returning Dillon Lewis, who makes his first appearance for Wales since 2024, joins skipper Lake and Gareth Thomas in the front-row.
The uncapped contingent all feature on the bench, in the form of Rhys Barratt, Ben Warren, Ryan Woodman and Harrison Keddie, while Ryan Elias, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Sam Costelow and Mason Grady also make the replacements group.
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Commenting on his selection, Tandy said: “We’ve had a good block of training building towards this game and are excited to get our summer underway on Saturday.
“I’m delighted for Rhys, Ben, Ryan and Harrison, who are all in line to make their first senior appearance for Wales.
“The Barbarians will present a good challenge for us. They have lots of skilful players and I’m sure it’ll be a high pace game with lots of offloads. That in turn will be a great preparation for us as we head into the Nations Championship and playing Fiji the week after.
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“The more games we play the more consistent we can be. We’re looking to pick up where we left off in the Six Nations and continue to build and improve as a group.”
Wales team v Barbarians in full
Starting XV: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Eddie James, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Ellis Mee, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Kieran Hardy, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Teddy Williams, 4 Ben Carter, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Dewi Lake (c), 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Rhys Barratt, 18 Ben Warren, 19 Ryan Woodman, 20 Harrison Keddie, 21 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Mason Grady
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