This weekend could see a number of players push their case forward for a Wales call-up
Cardiff full-back Cameron Winnett (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
In the past, Judgement Day has served as a final audition for Wales squad places – given it tended to fall on the final day of the season.
Not this year, though, with three more rounds of fixtures left to play after this weekend’s get-together in Cardiff. Hopefully, all things going well, some of the professional sides will have even more matches left to play before their campaign is done – with Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets all still in the hunt for a place in the United Rugby Championship play-offs.
Naturally, the main priority for pretty much all who take to the Principality Stadium turf this weekend will be to keep their hopes of the top eight alive.
However, with a Wales tour to Japan on the horizon under a new coach, there’s also a chance to steal a march on some Welsh rivals in this weekend’s derbies.
For example, whoever starts at scrum-half for the Ospreys will have at least a small part of their mind on a Wales call-up.
Were it Reuben Morgan-Williams, the 27-year-old would be aiming for a first call-up by the national team – having been overlooked by Warren Gatland despite his important role in the Ospreys’ success in recent season.
A new coach might rate Morgan-Williams considerably more than the last regime, especially as he has remained crucial – orchestrating matters in the Challenge Cup win over the Scarlets.
Of course, there’s also Kieran Hardy in the Ospreys’ ranks. Having joined from the Scarlets this season, the 23-cap international has been in fine form recently. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
However, when it comes to the Test arena, he’s been out of favour for a while. His last cap came last summer, with Gatland preferring Ellis Bevan and Rhodri Williams as Tomos Williams’ deputies in the last two campaigns.
There’s certainly a chance for at least one of them to earn a Wales call-up this summer. The same goes for Cardiff full-back Cameron Winnett.
At the start of last year, he was Wales’ success story in the Six Nations – starting all five matches in the 2024 tournament.
However, the reintroduction of Liam Williams in the summer and the arrival of Blair Murray in the autumn saw Winnett dropped completely by Gatland for this year’s tournament.
For the Blue and Blacks, though, Winnett has been a consistent performer this season. Heading into the final weeks of the campaign, he has already assisted 10 tries this season – being one of the league’s most productive playmakers.
Surely, a recall beckons. The same might be said for Keiran Williams, even if his Test experience was considerably briefer than Winnett’s to date.
Gatland sold shares in the Ospreys centre after one brief cameo against England prior to the World Cup in 2023, but it seems a waste given his carrying performances for his club.
In the back-three, Wales’ stocks are considerably healthier than they once were, with the emergence of Murray and Ellis Mee. But another Scarlets player could force his way into the reckoning.
Macs Page has enjoyed a strong breakout season, crossing for five tries in 15 matches so far this campaign. However, it’s his work beyond the scores that will have captured the eye.
Just take his footwork to set up Murray against the Ospreys in Swansea the other week. If Wales want to take a punt on a youngster, he’s surely worth looking at.
The same can be said for Morgan Morse. The Wales age-grade star has long been tipped for a senior call-up.
It’s often just seemed a matter of when, rather than if. This summer could well be when, with the powerful carrier likely to enjoy an audition on Judgement Day should Justin Tipuric miss out as expected.
Don’t rule out his team-mate Morgan Morris, either. The No. 8 has been deemed not worthy of a Test call for some time, regardless of his performances.
But a new coach might see things differently and he’s been performing well in recent weeks too.
On the other side of things, Alex Mann has had an understatedly solid season for Cardiff. After his rapid rise to the Wales squad last season, this campaign has seen things plateau slightly on that front – but he’s continued to graft for the Blue and Blacks.
In truth, perhaps the man with the strongest case for a back-row place is Josh Macleod – with the Scarlets skipper having been superb this season.
In past seasons, his quality has been obvious, but staying fit has been another matter. However, as he continues to do that, he looks destined to tour Japan this summer.
Further forward in the pack, injuries to Adam Beard and Rhys Davies – who was a strong contender for a Wales recall prior to his knock against Lyon – have granted others the opportunity to put their case forward, even if the extent of their problems isn’t known yet.
James Fender will likely start in their absence, with the big second-row having been on Wales’ radar for some time.
A call-up might have come previously were it not for injuries, while the suggestion was that he was going to be brought into Wales camp during the Six Nations to train with the national team – although it’s not clear if that ever materialised after the abrupt change of coach.
Dragons captain Ben Carter will also be chomping at the bit to prove his fitness. The 24-year-old – who was starting to establish himself with Wales in 2024 – has missed nearly six months of rugby.
First, the second-row picked up an injury to his left knee while training with Wales at the end of October that needed surgery, before his return was delayed by an ankle issue that also required him to go under the knife. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.