Wales have been using a playmaking option in midfield for a year now, but that could soon change
In the one-and-a-half years since Wales last played Fiji in Cardiff, plenty has changed in Welsh rugby.
The 17 months since that Wales’ first defeat to Fiji in Cardiff have been marked by self-immolation and uncertainty, with the state of the game in this country far from healthy. That said, the fortunes of the national team – as they prepare for the Flying Fijian’s latest visit to the Welsh capital – do appear to be on the cusp of improving.
Warren Gatland – in charge for that Fiji defeat at the Principality Stadium – left his half-hearted second stint in charge of the national team last year, having burned through a lot of the goodwill from his first spell.
Steve Tandy has since replaced him, with the end of his second campaign suggesting there are some green shoots of recovery.
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It’s hardly a secret that Tandy is far more hands on than Gatland.
Wales’ coaches have been much more visible around the clubs in the past year, while alignment camps throughout the season have allowed greater messaging with players.
Having been in a state of confusion last year, with players unclear on things such as exit plans from their own 22, it does feel like wires are no longer quite so crossed.
Tactically, Wales look pretty clear on how they want to play.
Perhaps the most obvious staple of this is the ball-playing 12.
All of Tandy’s matches to date have had either Ben Thomas or Joe Hawkins starting at inside centre.
Attack coach Matt Sherratt is known to favour a playmaking option in midfield, having started Thomas there in all five of his matches in interim charge last year.
Fourteen matches in a row with what they’d call in the southern hemisphere a second five-eighth. Even if the personnel has changed at times, the philosophy hasn’t.
Gatland, in a bid to find something that worked, changed things around more often.
Having shifted Mason Grady to 12 in the summer of 2024, shunting Thomas to fly-half in the process, he then did hand the Cardiff back the keys to the 12 jersey for that Fiji game.
Come the Six Nations, hanging onto the job by his fingernails, he reverted back to a more physical midfield – starting Owen Watkin and Eddie James at inside centre in the two matches of that tournament before he walked.
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That rainy afternoon in Rome last year marked the last time Wales have committed to a gainline-breaking centre in the 12 jersey.
James has since gone on to make the 13 jersey his own for Wales this year, even if many still believe his best position is slightly further infield.
That opportunity could perhaps come this summer, with Wales having named seven centres in their extended training squad.
By the time they begin their Nations Championship campaign following the clash with the Barbarians next month, the number of midfielders will have been whittled down.
The likelihood is that both Thomas and Hawkins will remain, allowing Tandy and Sherratt to stick with the playmaking option.
But, if you look at the make-up of the seven centres, there’s a chance Wales could move to a more physical partnership if they wished.
Hawkins and Thomas are the playmaking 12s, while uncapped Bryn Bradley is – you would assume – included in the squad as an inside centre, having played pretty much of all his rugby for Harlequins there this season.
Then you have James, Max Llewellyn, Joe Roberts and Louie Hennessey who Tandy is likely considering the outside centre options – although Llewellyn, James and Roberts are all capable at 12.
“When you go back to the autumn, we were looking at who’s going to take over, who’s going to really grab that 13 shirt,” said Tandy after naming his squad. “I think Max did well in the autumn but Eddie came in and probably raised the bar again and again.
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“I think his growth was there throughout the tournament. You look at when he grew from France to Ireland to Italy. You have got Louis Hennessey, as well, who I thought was outstanding out in Bordeaux.
“I do like Eddie at 13, but you see he played 12 at the weekend, so there is that flexibility, which is exciting, as Max can play 12 as well.
“I feel really excited by those boys. It’s great we’ve got – I believe – real competition which I think will naturally push us on.”
Depending on how Tandy cuts his squad, there’s a strong possibility that, given the nature of the games and where they’re being played, Wales could play at least one match in the coming months with
Bradley in particular could push for a starting spot at inside centre this summer, offering something different to Hawkins and Thomas.
Standing at 6ft 4ins, having taken over in the Quins midfield from Springbok Andre Esterhuizen, he could bring a carrying presence to Wales’ midfield.
“He’s really square and his commitment to his D is very good,” said Tandy about Bradley. “He’s always around the breakdown looking for a jackal, so you can see he’s going to add real value there.”
Were Bradley, James or Llewellyn to start in the 12 jersey at any point this summer, it would mark a change in approach for Wales.
It may not happen right away, but given the age profile of those three – with Wales U20s co-captain Steffan Emanuel waiting in the wing – it seems only a matter of time.
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