Wales head coach Steve Tandy could look at some fresh faces in the Nations Championship
Ospreys hooker Lewis Lloyd could be a bolter for Wales this summer(Image: Huw Evans Agency)
Steve Tandy may not overhaul Wales this summer, but a handful of bolters are giving him plenty to think about.
While none of Wales’ four professional sides are expected to challenge at the very top end of the domestic season, there is still plenty riding on the weeks ahead.
The bulk of the Six Nations group is likely to remain intact, but Steve Tandy could yet turn to a handful of emerging talents as he looks to strengthen depth and inject fresh energy into his options.
Here are six potential bolters who could come into contention this summer.
Rhys Barratt
The 24-year-old loosehead has been outstanding for Cardiff this season and is a player who is most certainly knocking on the international door.
Barratt is a solid scrummager, but he brings so much with his work rate around the park.
JOIN OUR WALES RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE Latest news, analysis and much more
He is a very explosive carrier who makes a lot of tackles and is a jackal threat, while he is also a talented ball player, as evidenced by a tremendous 50/22 in the victory over Racing 92 in January.
Rhys Carré and Nicky Smith are the clear first-choice looseheads, while Gareth Thomas is an experienced player.
But might Tandy look to develop a younger loosehead behind Carré and Smith with the World Cup in mind?
Deian Gwynne
The 20-year-old is pencilled in to lead Wales U20s at the U20s World Cup in Georgia this summer.
But it is not out of the realms of possibility Tandy decides to include the backrower in his wider Wales squad.
Gwynne is a serious prospect with the potential to develop into a high-end international and is a regular in Gloucester’s matchday 23.
The man from Aberystwyth is a powerful carrier who hits people hard in defence while technically Gwynne is very good at the lineout and the breakdown.
It’s a matter of when not if Gwynne represents Wales at senior level.
Download WalesOnline’s mobile app for our best reading experience for subscribers
Bryn Bradley
The Harlequins centre is a big man at 6ft 5in and 16st 10lb.
Bradley has started to get far more minutes for a struggling Harlequins side this season and has impressed.
The former Wales U20s centre is dual-qualified and is an explosive ball carrier with an excellent offloading game, having previously been compared to Jamie Roberts.
He is certainly a player who could be an asset for Tandy’s side in the future.
It is not unreasonable to think that England will also be looking at Bradley and may even consider selecting the 22-year-old in their A squad.
Tandy could do a lot worse than include Bradley in his wider squad this summer.
James Williams
Pat Lam previously described Williams as the Roy Keane of his Bristol Bears side.
The no-nonsense centre is the glue that holds the Bears backline together and is an integral part of their team.
Williams is an altogether different style of centre to Bradley and can also cover outside-half.
The 29-year-old is a ball playing 12 with a physical edge while he is also a goal kicker so would suit the style of centre that attack coach Matt Sherratt has historically preferred.
It would not be a surprise if Tandy wanted to take a closer look at Williams this summer with next year’s World Cup in mind.
The only question mark is whether he is too similar in style to Joe Hawkins and Ben Thomas.
Kane James
The Exeter Chiefs backrower is one of the finest prospects in the English game and was an integral part of the England who won the U20s World Cup in 2024.
James was born in Haverfordwest but came through the ranks at St Peters RFC in Cardiff before getting picked up by the Chiefs.
He qualifies for Wales, England and New Zealand so Tandy has a real fight on his hands if he wants to persuade James to represent the land of his birth.
James is an explosive carrier with X-factor, while his offloading and physicality are a real point of difference.
The Exeter Chiefs backrower picked up an injury on the eve of the Six Nations but Tandy could do worse than select the 20-year-old for the inaugural Nations Championship.
Lewis Lloyd
Wales are strong at hooker with Dewi Lake, Ryan Elias, Elliot Dee, Liam Belcher and Brodie Coghlan, among others, in the frame.
But Lloyd has been outstanding for the Ospreys and is a player with a high ceiling.
The 23-year-old is solid at the set-piece but is a livewire around the park.
Lloyd is an explosive carrier who is also extremely effective in the wide channels.
Tandy may name an extended squad to have a look at a few fresh faces and if he does then Lloyd should be considered.
Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.