The Autumn Nations Cup is now underway, and Wales fell to yet another defeat to Ireland. They will host Tier two side Georgia at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.
After losing six games in a row, many will say the game against the Georgians is a must win for Wayne Pivac, however the Kiwi had said that he wants to give all players game time this autumn. Here is my pick of players that should start on Saturday.
Louis Rees-Zammit
The 19-year-old from Penarth lit up the Gallagher Premiership last season for Gloucester, being named Young Player of the Year. Welsh fans were delighted with his call up for the Six Nations, however he didn’t grace the pitch. His single cap came in a cameo off the bench against France last month. England Coach Eddie Jones tried tempting the youngster to play for them on residency grounds, however the Gloucester flyer has always said that Wales is his country.
With Pivac likely to make changes, Rees-Zammit is surely going to earn his first start in International rugby. With the back three expected to be rotated, the speedster is the name on everyone’s lips, so you should expect to see him start on Saturday, possibly beside George North on the other wing.
Johnny Williams
The centre only signed for the Scarlets in July, however he had impressed Pivac beforehand while playing for Newcastle Falcons. He has represented England at Under 20 level and also made an appearance for the senior team in an uncapped game against the Barbarians. In 2019 Williams revealed he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer, so he took time out of the game. However, since his return he has committed to Wales by signing for the Scarlets and will represent the country of his father this autumn.
Owen Watkin and Nick Tompkins have both had the opportunity to prove they’re good enough to be Hadleigh Parkes’ replacement. It’s only fair that Williams gets his chance, starting this weekend. I’d expect him to line-up alongside Tompkins in the centre with Jonathan Davies struggling with injury. The Wales centre shirts are still all up for grabs and Saturday could be vital for Williams.
Callum Sheedy
The outside half has been on fire for Bristol this season, winning the European Challenge Cup and making the Premiership Semi-final. He has been integral to the way the Bears play and loves to spot a gap in midfield. He has been tipped to be Dan Biggar’s long-term replacement, as the former Osprey will be 34 by the time the next World Cup comes around.
Sheedy represented Wales and Ireland at age grade level and was also selected for England in an uncapped match against the Barbarians. However, it didn’t take long for him to decide to play for the country of his birth after a quick chat with Pivac. After making his debut off the bench in Dublin last week, he now deserves the opportunity to show what he can do from the start.
Kieran Hardy
The Carmarthen born scrum half made a real impression for the Scarlets last season in the absence of Gareth Davies who was away with Wales. An academy product of the West Wales region he left to join the Jersey Reds in 2016 before returning home two years later. Hardy’s had to learn the hard way leaving home and going elsewhere to develop, but now the decision looks like a great one.
Now known for his running support lines, he’s a regular in the Scarlets squad battling Davies for the nine jersey. He was rewarded by being named in the autumn squad and has been waiting patiently for his opportunity. Hardy must’ve thought his chance had come when Rhys Webb was ruled out of the Scotland clash, however Pivac decided to name Lloyd Williams on the bench who wasn’t in the original squad. Hardy deserves a start this weekend, with Wales backline not getting enough quick ball, he and Sheedy could be the spark to inspire them to a result this weekend.
Sam Parry
The Wales set-piece has struggled so far this autumn, with Ryan Elias’ darts not hitting his targets enough Saturday could be a big day for Ospreys hooker Parry. He’s been an ever present for the Ospreys in recent years and his strong performances were rewarded this season. He earned his first cap off the bench at the Stade de France and his second a week later against Scotland.
The former Coleg Sir Gar product should start in the middle of the front row this weekend, with Elias underperforming and Elliott Dee not favoured by Pivac. His presence at the breakdown could be another big factor in why he should start Saturday, with Wales being outperformed there so far this autumn. Parry has a chance to claim his spot as Ken Owens’ backup with a big performance this weekend.
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