Wayne Pivac has named five uncapped players in his squad for the upcoming autumn internationals, giving them the perfect opportunity to make an impression with the 2023 Rugby World Cup appearing on the horizon.
The Wales boss has largely suggested he would be doing very few experiments between now and next year's global gathering, meaning these opportunities are few and far between.
There is also no guarantee the uncapped players in the squad will be afforded game time because results are important this autumn as Pivac looks to build on the confidence that was gleaned from an impressive summer tour to South Africa.
Most of the uncapped players named have been in the squad before, be it official or unofficial call-ups to simply train with the squad. The likes of Sam Costelow and Rio Dyer were in camp before the squad departed for South Africa, but this is a different biscuit.
“A lot more kit!" Pivac laughed when asked what the difference is between an official and unofficial call-up. "It’s one thing to be invited in as a youngster and you know you are there to learn. To actually be named in the squad you are one step closer to getting out on the pitch. All those players who have been selected will come in as senior Welsh rugby players. It’s up to them to take it to the next stage which is to play very well in the camp environment. They’ll get that opportunity starting Monday.”
So, what have the five uncapped players done to catch Pivac's eye? We take a look:
Sam Costelow
The young Scarlets fly-half has had to manage a lot of hype throughout his fledgling professional career, which dates back to his scintillating performances at Wales under-20s level. His move from Leicester to the Scarlets was greeted with much excitement and he has developed into a quality fly-half, with room to grow at professional level.
Costelow's running game is what catches the eye but he is also a strong defender and a very astute tactical kicker, with plenty of variety in that part of his game. This last point is where he edges ahead of someone like Jarrod Evans, who was close to being named.
Discussing Costelow's selection, Pivac said: "Sam's a young guy that we've had in the environment on a couple of occasions before. We bring young players in from time to time and he's done exceptionally well in the environment. It's just another opportunity for him to grow and learn a little bit more. We'll see whether or not game time comes for some of these youngsters but we'll play that by ear."
Josh Macleod
Pivac is very familiar with Macleod, having worked with him extensively during his time in charge of the Scarlets. The Wales boss knows how good the back-rower can be and all concerned will be hoping his injury problems are behind him. Macleod was due to make his Wales debut against Scotland in 2021 but had to withdraw after suffering an injury within hours of the selection being made public.
What has counted in his favour is his ability to play in all positions across the back-row, filling a void which has been left behind by Josh Navidi, who is currently sidelined with a neck injury.
Pivac said: "It was really, really cruel. He’s been selected in the squad twice. Once, he was injured with his club the week before camp and he wasn’t able to join us. Of course, he was named in the team on a Tuesday, had the accolades of his team-mates applauding him and was then stretchered off the field an hour later with a ruptured Achilles.
"To see him back on the field playing, he’s a player we want back in the environment. He can play all three back-row positions. We’ll have a good look at him up close. We feel he deserves this opportunity. This is the time to have a look.
"Six Nations and beyond, we know what is coming, and that’s all about winning tournaments. I think if you look at the Josh Navidi type of player, we think in Josh Macleod he’s potentially that type of player."
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Dane Blacker
Blacker is an interesting call. Gareth Davies has not been playing well and it's clear Pivac is not in a rush to select Rhys Webb.
Blacker, 24, has brought a bit of zip and electricity to the scrum-half position when he has been given opportunities in Llanelli, which has not been lost on Pivac and his coaching staff. He gets an opportunity to impress this autumn and may well get the chance to transfer his qualities at domestic level over to the Test stage. We'll see.
"We’ve been monitoring a lot of half-backs for a long time outside of the three we’ve used recently," said Pivac. "Gareth with 60, 70-odd Test matches, we know what he can and can’t do. It’s an opportunity to have a look at Dane. We feel he’s been playing well last season and he’s done well in the cameos this year. We’ll look at him up close. Rhys Webb is playing well, but we know what he and Gareth can do."
Joe Hawkins
Former Wales under-20s captain Hawkins has been earmarked as having genuine Test potential in the last 18 months. His performances at age-grade level have been men against boys stuff in the last 12 months and Toby Booth has been looking to bring him on at senior level.
Hawkins has not looked out of place in the opportunities he's had so far this season and all the signs point to him being a real success in the professional game. Already a big man for his age, he can punch holes in defensive lines but also has a subtlety to his game that can help break down defences in different ways. He also has a huge kick in his arsenal, which comes in handy. The 20-year-old can also operate at fly-half, proving he knows how to read a game.
Pivac said of him: "When we looked at the midfield, we’ve got three of the four that we took to South Africa. Unfortunately, Johnny Williams, who was playing well at the time, is injured. We’ve had a chat with Jonathan Davies and we know everything he can do.
"For Joe, it’s a chance to get into this environment and look at the work required to play at this level. We think he’s an exciting young talent. He’s done very well with the U20s, he’s a leader. He can play 10 and can bring a skillset to that inside centre position that not all our players have. He’s one for the future. We’ll have a very good look at him."
Pick the best Wales team from the autumn squad
Rio Dyer
The selection of Dyer came a little out of left-field but it does have its merits. In the same mould as someone like Keelan Giles, Dyer is absolutely rapid and has a turn of pace that few others in Welsh rugby do. Where he gets the nod ahead of Giles is probably in his size and just that extra bit of physicality in contact.
He can break tackles and will be more useful in the air, which is vitally important at Test level, where teams will look to kick on wingers they perceive to be inferior in a bid to move their way up the field.
Dyer also trained with Wales last summer and dazzled. Pivac places a lot of stock in players who can come in and thrive in a rigorous training environment. That has certainly helped in this instance.
"Rio trained with us before we went to South Africa, along with Ryan Conbeer - we know a lot about those two," said Pivac. "He just gets the nod as he’s got exceptional pace, a great step and acceleration. You saw that in a few games this year for the Dragons. He did well in our internal match before South Africa. He’s good in the air and that’s huge at Test level.
“They [Dyer and Giles] are both very quick and explosive. Rio has got a little bit more size. In the modern game there‘s no getting away from it there’s a lot of big blokes out on the park. They are both quick. One is playing on the left and one is playing on the right. We will look at the make-up of the squad, where we go, and the experience, also the difference between club rugby and Test rugby. In terms of Test rugby we’ve given him the nod.”
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