Wales’ attention will soon turn to a two-Test tour of Japan this summer and some fresh blood is likely to travel with them
Huw Anderson is a dark horse to tour Japan with Wales this summer(Image: Huw Evans Agency)
The sting of last Saturday’s 68-14 defeat to England at the Principality Stadium is still fresh, and it’s clear that whoever takes over as Wales’ head coach after Warren Gatland faces a monumental task.
With Wales heading to Japan this summer, the new coach will feel the pressure of ending a 17-match losing streak. Summer tours to emerging nations typically provide an opportunity to introduce young talent, especially during a Lions year.
However, with Wales struggling and few players likely to feature in Andy Farrell’s squad, the focus will be firmly on turning the team’s fortunes around and securing much-needed victories.
That said, the new coach is likely to introduce some fresh faces into the squad. Here are five players from across the age spectrum who could force their way onto the plane for the upcoming tour to the Far East.
Morgan Morse
The 20-year-old is arguably the best prospect in Welsh rugby at the moment. Morse is a player with an extremely high ceiling who will almost certainly win numerous caps for Wales at senior level.
The Ospreys backrower is an explosive ball carrier capable of making significant post-contact metres, while he is also extremely dynamic with an excellent skill set. In the Ospreys’ recent 32-31 victory over reigning United Rugby Championship winners Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun, Morse put in a remarkable performance where he finished as the joint top carrier with 14.
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As far as Morse is concerned he is not just a player for the future but also for the here and now. With Taulupe Faletau approaching the end of his career, Wales are in desperate need of a high-quality No 8 to succeed the 108-times-capped Wales international.
Morse also offers a different skillset to the status quo in the backrow. Whoever the new coach is, Morse must travel to Japan with Wales this summer.
Ross Moriarty
The 30-year-old has not played for Wales since the home defeat to Italy at the conclusion of the 2022 Six Nations. Moriarty has been plying his trade for Brive in the second tier of French rugby over the past two seasons but has agreed to join the Ospreys for the 2025/26 campaign.
The former Gloucester and Dragons star should in theory still have a lot to offer Welsh rugby. Wales’ pack has lacked an edge for a long time and an abrasive blindside like Moriarty, who can also play No 8, wouldn’t go amiss.
Gatland often spoke about the lack of a big physical blindside over the past couple of seasons and it would be a surprise if the next Wales coach didn’t take a close look at Moriarty. The 54-times-capped backrower is the type of player Wales could have done with against an England pack which threw their hosts from pillar to post last weekend.
Moriarty’s experience and physicality make him an appealing option in Japan this summer.
Joe Hawkins
Hawkins was the high-profile casualty of Welsh rugby’s controversial 25-cap law when he missed out on a place in Gatland’s Rugby World Cup squad after leaving the Ospreys for Exeter Chiefs. He hasn’t exactly pulled up many trees during his time at Sandy Park but he has signed for the Scarlets ahead of the 2025/26 term which makes him eligible to represent Wales again.
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The jury is out on the five-cap Wales international but he is still only 22 and he does have the raw materials to make it as an international. Hawkins is a talented footballer with a good passing and kicking game, while he has always been physical.
During his first five caps Hawkins showed glimpses of his potential but he needs a run of games so he can find consistency. Interestingly the Scarlets have signed him as an outside-half who can also play 12 and prior to his departure Gatland also saw Hawkins as a 10.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Hawkins in the wider Wales squad this summer.
Huw Anderson
The 20-year-old has made a big impact since breaking into the senior Dragons side and was invited in to train with Wales last autumn. Anderson is electric with ball in hand and has the footwork to beat the best of defenders on a sixpence.
During the Six Nations it could be argued that Wales lacked top-end pace out wide and this is something Anderson could provide. He remains a work in progress and his defence will have to improve but he is relatively solid under the high ball.
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But given Wales haven’t got the forwards to bully sides they will have to find other ways to beat teams, making Anderson’s x-factor with ball in hand an attractive proposition.
James Fender
The 23-year-old has been consistently good for the Ospreys. Fender is an extremely abrasive second-row who relishes the physical nature of the game.
If it wasn’t for a couple of ill-timed injuries he would have almost certainly been capped by now. Fender is an excellent lineout forward who is very effective in the maul, while he is also a decent carrier who gets through a tonne of work in defence.
Wales have lacked some grunt up front during the Six Nations and given Will Rowlands has been below par this season the new coach really needs to add some strength to the front-five. With that in mind Fender is most certainly someone who should be considered for this summer’s tour of Japan.
AloJapan.com