The powerful centre, who qualifies for four nations, has caught the eye with his recent performances
Giant Welsh-qualified centre Zack Wimbush has got fans talking after a standout performance for Exeter Chiefs, with a new tug of war between Wales and England on the cards for the future.
The 22-year-old – who stands at 6ft 6in and weighs 115kg – was named player of the match in his side’s 31-19 PREM Rugby Cup win over reigning champions Bath on Saturday. A memorable display saw him repeatedly punch holes in the Bath defence with powerful carries, putting his side on the front foot before capping his performance with a sensational solo try.
Fending off four tackles, Wimbush sent his opponents crashing to the turf as he powered over the line to score, with the brilliantly-taken try even seeing him earn comparisons to the legendary Jonah Lomu.
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Born in Hong Kong, the talented youngster not only qualifies for next year’s Rugby World Cup debutants, but is also eligible to play for Wales, England and Australia. His Welsh and Australian eligibility comes through his mother’s side of the family, while he qualifies for England through his father.
He caught the eye of former Wales head coach Warren Gatland at the age of 20, having made the highest number of post-contact metres in all four major domestic competitions in world rugby – United Rugby Championship, Gallagher Premiership, Top 14 and Super Rugby Pacific – while playing for the Chiefs.
That interest saw Wimbush emerge as a potential bolter for last year’s Wales Six Nations squad, but the call-up has never come, with England also yet to make a move for the young centre.
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The powerful carrier has yet to fully establish himself in the Chiefs’ senior set-up, starting five PREM games since the start of last season and recently spending time on loan with Cornish Pirates in English rugby’s second tier.
However, while he would need to replicate such displays consistently in the PREM and on the European stage to really put himself in contention, Wimbush’s performance against Bath has seen his name once again linked with an international call-up.
More than anything, the youngster is an eye-catching physical outlier with the size and power to make his mark on the Test game and, recognising his potential, fans of both Wales and England have urged their respective coaches to secure him sooner rather than later.
“Cap him,” wrote one Welsh fan on X. “Otherwise the English will get him”. Another added: “You’d think Wales would want any player that can make serious gain line impact like him – his try on the weekend was ridiculous.”
A third remarked: “If we don’t cap [him], then I am sure England will poach another of our future stars off us.”
Understandably, he has also caught the eye of England fans, with one writing: “I’d get him capped pretty rapid if I was Borthwick before they lose him,” and another adding: “Hopefully England will select him for their A side to transition him in to the senior side.”
However, despite midfield being a problem position for Wales in recent years, Wimbush is far from the only promising centre option head coach Steve Tandy has at his disposal.
Eddie James announced himself on the international stage last weekend with a superb performance against Scotland, providing the threat and power that Wales have lacked in midfield in recent times and showing why he is expected to make the 13 jersey his own for the foreseeable future.
Joe Hawkins, Owen Watkin, Ben Thomas, Mason Grady and the uncapped Louie Hennessey are all centre options in the current Six Nations squad, while the likes of Max Llewellyn and Nick Tompkins were also involved in the autumn.
But there is also an abundance of physcial midfield talent coming through, with 6ft 5in Harlequins powerhouse Bryn Bradley seen as one of the brightest prospects. Current Wales U20s co-captain Steffan Emanuel has also been tipped for senior international honours one day, as has former U20s skipper Harri Ackerman.
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