Wales team winners and losers: Louis Rees-Zammit given ‘preferred role’ while All Blacks history maker a ‘stand-out absence’
Louis Rees-Zammit starts at full-back for Wales.
Following the announcement of Steve Tandy’s Wales matchday 23 for the Six Nations game against England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, here are our winners and losers.
Winners
Louis Rees-Zammit
Thrust into what is now his preferred role after shining for PREM outfit Bristol Bears, Rees-Zammit will be relishing this opportunity to do damage to England’s defence.
Rees-Zammit featured on the wing for Wales during the autumn but it looks like Tandy has been impressed by his club form and is backing the ex-NFL player as his 15.
Josh MacLeod
Tandy touched on MacLeod in the team announcement as he admitted to being hugely excited by how he’ll fare at Twickenham in what will be his first Six Nations start.
MacLeod’s leadership and intensity were flagged as plus points to what he brings to the squad and he will no doubt be revved up and hungry to get stuck into the English.
Ellis Mee
Rewarded for his Scarlets form, Mee has always impressed us for region and country. Rees-Zammit moving to 15 opens up a spot and he has been named on the right wing.
The rangy wide man is blessed with elusiveness and deceptive power and will be desperate to give a solid account of himself which could lock down a wing jersey long term.
Eddie James
There’s also a chance for fellow Scarlets team-mate James to do similar at HQ as he’s another rewarded by Tandy for how he’s been tracking of late for his regional outfit.
James is a handful in the carry and will be utilised by Dan Edwards in that department. He also possesses soft hands in contact so England must beware his duel threat.
Josh Adams
Returns to the red jersey after serving his suspension for the red card he received against Japan in November, the experienced Adams will be eager to make an impression.
The 30-year-old Cardiff player is a tried and tested international, who of course has featured for the British and Irish Lions, and his seniority in a young line-up is crucial.
Losers
Blair Murray
Staying with the back three and it seems Murray has seemingly fallen victim to a disappointing Autumn Nations Series under the high ball as he misses out on the squad.
To drop him completely from the 23 is a significant call from Tandy as Murray’s ability to play both at full-back and on the wing makes him a handy option on the bench.
Tom Rogers
Another stand-out absence is wing Rogers, who made history the last time he played a Test by becoming the first Welsh player to grab a hat-trick against the All Blacks.
It’s therefore a major shock to see him not involved in the squad to take on England on Saturday, as he must wait to add to his tally after that memorable day in November.
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Ollie Cracknell
His form for Leicester Tigers has been exceptional this campaign while he picked up a Player of the Match award against Japan in what was his first international start.
Yes, it’s not wholly surprising that Aaron Wainwright gets the jersey at number eight at Twickenham, perhaps Cracknell could have usurped Taine Plumtree on the bench?
James Botham
Another back-row missing from the Wales 23 is Botham, as he also misses out in this Six Nations opener, despite being back fit and playing some decent rugby for Cardiff.
Botham missed all the Autumn Nations Series after undergoing knee surgery in the summer, but it appears his international return is set to come further down the track.
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Jarrod Evans
There’s no back-up fly-half on the bench as Tandy is confident that starting centre Ben Thomas can fill in should Dan Edwards either suffer injury or be carded on Saturday.
Instead, the Wales coach has named Mason Grady as the backline replacement alongside scrum-half Kieran Hardy. Evans, a game-winner v Japan, must watch from afar.
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