Wales begin their summer campaign against the Barbarians, but the serious business starts with Fiji in the opening match of the inaugural Nations Cup.
With the Barbarians clash falling outside World Rugby’s official international window, the Test against Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium will mark the first opportunity for Steve Tandy to name his strongest available matchday 23.
Here is the side Tandy should select for the showdown with Fiji.
15. Louis Rees-Zammit
Some believe the Bristol Bears flyer is better suited to the wing, but Wales have invested significant time in developing Rees-Zammit as a full-back.
Wales will hope he can show more of his attacking prowess with ball in hand while also holding his own both defensively and under the high-ball.
14. Tom Rogers
The Ospreys-bound wing impressed for Wales during the autumn, becoming the first Welsh player to ever score a hat-trick against the All Blacks, but he didn’t play a single minute of rugby during the Six Nations.
But he has been playing well for the Scarlets lately and is a dangerous runner who is strong under the high-ball.
Whoever plays in the back-three will have their hands full against the likes of Jiuto Wainiqolo, Salesi Rayasi and Kalaveti Ravouvou, among others.
13. Eddie James
Many experts prefer to see James at inside centre and his long-term position may well be in the number 12 shirt but, currently, Wales need continuity in midfield.
James enjoyed a strong Six Nations campaign where his explosive carrying and his ability to make significant post-contact metres helped improve this Wales team.
Wales will need their midfield defence to be on point against Fiji with powerhouse Racing 92 star Josua Tuisova now employed as a centre.
12. Joe Hawkins
There were calls during the Six Nations for Wales to select a more direct presence at inside centre rather than a ball-playing 12.
But attack coach Matt Sherratt has historically preferred a second playmaker at 12 and it would be a surprise if Wales went in a different direction.
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Hawkins had a decent Six Nations; his physicality, distribution and kicking game were his main attributes, and he is also very familiar with his Scarlets teammate Eddie James.
11. Mason Grady
Grady is currently sidelined with a fractured thumb sustained against the Scarlets last month but in a recent press conference Tandy confirmed everyone in the squad will be available to play by the Barbarians game.
The 24-year-old found some form prior to his injury and is the type of physical presence Wales needs in the back-three against what will be a powerful Fiji side.
Grady is an excellent broken field runner who can be a handful when at his best.
10. Dan Edwards
The 23-year-old was outstanding for the Ospreys during the latter part of the season and was excellent during Wales’ victory over Italy in March.
Edwards lost the number 10 shirt to Sam Costelow who had a fine game against Scotland before sustaining a championship-ending injury.
But Edwards is the incumbent and is the favourite to start against Fiji at the Cardiff City Stadium.
9. Tomos Williams
The 31-year-old is one of the first names on Tandy’s team sheet.
Williams is a huge threat with ball in hand and has the vision to bring others into the game while his experience will be vital to this Wales side.
The Gloucester star is currently nursing a shoulder injury and will not be available to face the Barbarians because the game falls outside the designated international window, but he is expected to be fit in time to face Fiji.
8. Aaron Wainwright
The 28-year-old was Wales’ best player during the Six Nations and Wales will need him to be at his best if they are to claim a couple of victories this summer.
Wainwright has taken his game to another level in recent months and is an explosive ball carrier who can get Wales onto the front foot.
7. Jac Morgan
What a boost it will be for Wales to have the world class Morgan available again after he missed the Six Nations due to a shoulder injury.
Morgan is a tremendous all-round player who carries the ball well, is extremely effective at the breakdown, and also gets through a mountain of work in defence.
The 25-year-old is also an excellent link man with ball in hand.
6. Taine Plumtree
The 26-year-old has a reputation for getting himself onto the wrong side of the referee which has cost both club and country dearly in the past.
But if he can cut that out of his game Wales could have a serious Test player on their hands.
Plumtree combines outstanding athleticism with formidable physicality, while also possessing the rare ability to produce moments of genuine brilliance. That was evident in his superb solo try against the Dragons, when he chipped over the defence, regathered and finished acrobatically in the corner.
5. Ben Carter
The 25-year-old finally got his long-awaited opportunity to start a Six Nations game against Scotland.
Carter didn’t look back and usurped the experienced Adam Beard to cement himself as Wales’ first choice second-row alongside Dafydd Jenkins.
The Dragons lock is a workhorse and an outstanding lineout forward.
4. Dafydd Jenkins
The Exeter Chiefs second-row has become a mainstay of this Wales side.
Jenkins is a workhorse who leads from the front and is almost always in the top three tacklers at the end of a Test match.
The 23-year-old is a physical player who is also effective at the lineout.
3. Keiron Assiratti
Tighthead prop is an area of concern for Wales with first choice players Tomas Francis and Archie Griffin unavailable this summer.
But Assiratti started all four of Wales’ games last autumn and is quietly growing into an international-class player.
The Cardiff prop is a decent scrummager and contributes well around the park but will be tested at the set-piece against a couple of scrummaging heavyweights this summer.
2. Dewi Lake (Captain)
The Gloucester-bound hooker finished the Six Nations in outstanding form and Wales will need Lake to be at his best this summer.
Lake is a very powerful carrier who consistently makes those all-important post-contact metres while he also contributes positively in defence and at the breakdown.
His throwing into the lineout has also improved immeasurably and providing he is fit, he has to be the favourite to retain the captain’s armband.
1. Rhys Carré
The Saracens prop came of age during the Six Nations and has developed into a top-end Test player.
Carré scrummaged well but it was his impact around the field that stood out.
The 28-year-old is a very explosive ball carrier who scored one of the great individual tries by a front-rower in the narrow defeat to Ireland in Dublin.
Replacements
16. Ryan Elias
The Scarlets hooker has his critics but he is a very powerful ball carrier and is considered the best scrummaging hooker in Wales.
17. Nicky Smith
The 32-year-old is one of the most destructive scrummaging loosehead props in the Gallagher Prem and is capable of making a big impact off the bench.
18. Dillon Lewis
The 30-year-old hasn’t played for Wales since the defeat to Italy in 2024 and has been injured for large parts of this season.
But tighthead is not an area of strength in Wales and the Dragons prop brings 57 caps worth of experience.
19. Freddie Thomas
The 24-year-old has been playing well for Gloucester and is somebody who could make a big impact from the bench.
20. James Botham
Botham was a standout player during the second-half of the Six Nations and has been in top form for Cardiff. His ability to cover the entire backrow is a plus point.
21. Kieran Hardy
The 30-year-old has been playing well for the Ospreys and brings a lot of experience off the bench.
22. Sam Costelow
Tandy will hope the 25-year-old is fully fit after a period on the sidelines because he was outstanding against Scotland in the Six Nations.
23. Louie Hennessey
The 22-year-old made his Test debut during the Six Nations and has played well for Bath lately. Hennessey can make an impact.