Steve Tandy has been very proactive since starting as head coach of Wales
Steve Tandy secured a significant victory over England this week by persuading Kane James to commit his international future to Wales.
The Welsh Rugby Union has faced heavy criticism in recent years for losing out on dual-qualified talent such as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Kepu Tuipulotu. However, Tandy has moved proactively to strengthen Wales’ position in that area, calling James “explosive”, while Bryn Bradley also included in his latest squad.
Here are four other players Tandy should look at.
Rhys Litterick
Quality tighthead props are in short supply in Welsh rugby at this moment.
The Welsh-qualified Rhys Litterick spent two seasons at Cardiff Rugby where he developed into a strong scrummager who also provides a carrying option.
He is also a skilful prop with ball in hand, good over the ball and makes a lot of tackles.
Litterick joined Edinburgh Rugby at the start of this season but has spent months on the sidelines due to an Achilles injury.
He is set to be fit for the start of next season but he is a player all four of Wales’ professional clubs should be looking at.
Litterick also qualifies for Scotland, but Tandy could do far worse than contacting the 27-year-old, particularly at a time when Wales needs as much genuine competition for places as they can possibly generate.
Tahlor Cahill
The 22-year-old second row has been a regular in the Crusaders side this season and has made a big impact.
Tahlor Cahill is an athletic and powerful player who is a strong carrier and a competent lineout forward. He is definitely on the WRU’s radar and was on the verge of signing for the Scarlets before the move fell through.
WalesOnline understands the lack of certainty in Wales surrounding the future structure of the professional game was the primary reason Cahill decided to stay in New Zealand for now.
But if Cahill continues to impress for the Crusaders there is a very real possibility he could get capped by the New Zealand national rugby union team.
The WRU should be moving heaven and earth to get Cahill to Wales before he becomes a player who could add quality to the side.
Jonny Green
Powerful second rows who stand at 6ft 7in and over 18 stone don’t exactly grow on trees in Wales.
Jonny Green hails from Haywards Heath in West Sussex but qualifies for Wales through his mother’s side of the family.
The 22-year-old played for Wales U20s and is part of the WRU’s Wales Player Pathway (WPP) programme.
But he currently plays for English giants Harlequins and while not a first-choice player, he has been getting more game-time this season.
James Williams
Pat Lam previously labelled James Williams as the Roy Keane of the Bristol Bears side.
The 29-year-old is a talented footballer who is the glue of the Bristol Bears midfield.
Williams is a lovely distributor with a good kicking game who is also solid in defence.
The challenge he faces in breaking into the Wales squad is that his skill set perhaps overlaps too closely with both Ben Thomas and Joe Hawkins.
But he undoubtedly fits the profile of the ball-playing inside centre that attack coach Matt Sherratt prefers to utilise.