Wales vs Barbarians arrives on Saturday with eight Scarlets in Steve Tandy’s matchday 23 for the 14:00 kick-off at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. The selection gives Wales a sharp first look at a summer that runs into the Nations Championship, and it puts four uncapped players within reach of a first senior appearance.
Scarlets fill Wales back line
Blair Murray starts at full-back, with Tom Rogers and Ellis Mee on the wings and Joe Hawkins and Eddie James in midfield. Taine Plumtree is also in the starting XV at flanker, while Ryan Elias and Sam Costelow are among the replacements to make up the eight Scarlets in the squad.
That group gives Wales the whole three-quarter line from one region, a rare level of continuity for a first summer outing. It also leaves Steve Tandy with enough overlap between starters and bench options to keep the shape of the side intact if he turns to the replacements early.
Rhys Barratt and Harrison Keddie
The bench carries the other big selection story. Rhys Barratt, Ben Warren, Ryan Woodman and Harrison Keddie are the four uncapped players included among the replacements, and Tandy said he was delighted for all four because they are in line to make their first senior appearance for Wales.
Barratt is listed as a Cardiff loose-head prop, Warren as an Ospreys tight-head, Woodman as a second row and Keddie as a Dragons back-rower. In practical terms, that means Wales have covered both the front row and the pack without forcing the squad to lean on a single type of replacement.
Alex Callender and West London
The same day also brings a second match in West London, where Sean Lynn’s Wales Women face the Baabaas at 5pm. Alex Callender captains Wales Women and returns from injury, giving the double header a second selection story built around players coming back into contention.
Tandy said the Barbarians will present a good challenge, with skilful players, high pace and lots of offloads, and he added that the fixture is good preparation as Wales head into the Nations Championship and the game against Fiji the week after. Wales are using Saturday to start the summer against a side built to stress structure, while the replacements offer the clearest opening for a debut before Argentina and South Africa arrive later in the campaign.
