Wales head coach Warren Gatland is challenging his players to make their mark and secure spots in the upcoming Six Nations during Saturday’s clash against the Barbarians.
Gatland has assembled a strong starting XV at the Principality Stadium, with 12 members from Wales’ Rugby World Cup squad. However, all players based outside of Wales, including stars like Louis Rees-Zammit, Nick Tompkins, and Will Rowlands, are not part of the lineup.
This non-cap game is a special tribute to former Wales forwards Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric, who retired from Test rugby earlier this year but will make one more appearance in Barbarians colors. Full-back Leigh Halfpenny will join them for his final Wales appearance after announcing his decision to step away from international play.
The timing of this fixture has raised concerns, particularly due to scheduling conflicts with the Welsh regions – Ospreys, Scarlets, Cardiff, and Dragons – who have United Rugby Championship matches this weekend. Gatland named a reduced 23-man squad to help with player availability, but it has weakened all four regional teams.
Wales’ clash with the Barbarians is their last game before the Six Nations opener against Scotland on February 3. Gatland is preparing a revamped squad for the tournament, with the retirements of Dan Biggar and the temporary overseas stints of Liam Williams and Gareth Anscombe.
On Saturday, players like Tom Rogers, Ben Carter, Teddy Williams, Harri O’Connor, and Taine Plumtree will have the chance to impress. Gatland highlighted the opportunity for these players to stake their claim for Six Nations selection, saying, “There is an opportunity without players outside of Wales for people to put down a marker in terms of being involved in the Six Nations.”
Gatland emphasized the need for players to consistently perform at a high level, stating, “I have been pretty loyal to players who have gone out, put that jersey on, and performed well. For those players who do that, it is a good opportunity to be selected for the Six Nations.”
Gatland has shifted his focus from the World Cup to the next cycle, highlighting the importance of developing a group of young Welsh players. While the team may be missing several key players, Gatland sees this as a valuable opportunity for the emerging talents to showcase their abilities.
In the upcoming match, Alun Wyn Jones will lead the Barbarians, a team coached by Eddie Jones and Scott Robertson. The formidable Barbarians lineup includes nine World Cup veterans, such as Michael Hooper, Nicolas Sanchez, and Taniela Tupou. The game will be a special occasion for Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, and Leigh Halfpenny, who collectively boast 352 caps, and it serves as an inspiration to the younger players in the squad.
Wales captain Jac Morgan acknowledged the influence of the retiring players, saying, “Their professionalism and the standards they set as players are pretty inspirational for the young boys coming through. Even towards the end of their careers, they are among the last people out on the training field still trying to get better and improve.”
The clash against the Barbarians presents a unique opportunity for emerging talents to make their presence felt on the international stage and for the departing legends to bid farewell to their Welsh fans.