Winners and losers before Wales name Six Nations squad

Many Wales hopefuls have a chance to do the same in the Six Nations, but their strong performances against European opposition at club level could be of benefit.

Over the weekend, Dragons and Cardiff and Ospreys qualified for the Challenge Cup’s final 16 spots.

However, it was the last opportunity for Wales boss Steve Tandy to impress him before naming his first Six Nations squad on Tuesday, in addition to attempting to reach the knockout stages and earning home advantage.

Warren Gatland resisted Rio Dyer’s inclusion for the previous year’s Six Nations despite having played regularly since his 2022 debut.

Tandy recalled The Dragons wing for the fall series, which featured South Africa, and the group has since been excellent.

His four tries and five assists totaled with his double against the Newcastle Red Bulls.

The 26-year-old is gaining back control and is consistently winning against defenders, running strong lines, and performing hunting work.

The 24-cap wing could be made up if Tandy follows Bristol’s lead by moving Louis Rees-Zammit to full-back.

Rio has the X factor, and when he is confident, he means business, according to Dragons captain Angus O’Brien.

“We need to beat people in one v one and light things up,” he said.

O’Brien is currently in excellent form, but at 31 he might not have made it to the international team.

In addition to Ryan Woodman and Che Hope, the Dragons also have two promising prospects.

In the opening game of the Six Nations last year in Paris, Watkins broke his knee ligaments after 10 months out.

The 29-year-old has played for Ospreys’ 12 and 13 seasons, and Max Llewellyn is currently sidelined with a knee injury.

Ospreys head coach Mark Jones praised Owen for being “really good on both sides of the ball.”

He scored a nice try against Montpellier, and he has one of the best defensive lines and line speed in the URC.

He “makes a lot of good work of sharing his knowledge with young players and makes a big difference to our team.”

After spending time in France with Brive last summer, Moriarty made his return to Wales, and he has the potential to be a physical, abrasive, and experienced choice. Tandy has a strong case for him.

The 31-year-old has not yet resisted playing for Wales despite winning the most recent of his 54 caps in March 2022.

Kane James, who may have won the World Rugby U20 Championship with England but is still on Tandy’s radar, suffered a cruel injury in the Exeter Chiefs’ eighth-ranked player.

The 20-year-old from Haverfordwest participated in junior rugby at Cardiff with St Peters.

He was mentioned as a potential bolter for the Six Nations, but he injured his ankle just before the Cardiff Challenge Cup match.

James’ chances of being invited to the Six Nations may depend on a scan, but Exeter coach Haydn Thomas thinks the back-rower has it.

He has an exceptional talent, according to Thomas, and Kane has many qualities.

The key is to enjoy his rugby and play the best rugby possible for Exeter, foremost because what happens with the Chiefs will determine how well he plays with the Chiefs.

Jake Ball, 34, has been predicted to add physicality to the Wales pack once he returns to Scarlets.

The lock was forced to leave the Northampton Saints starting eleven with a head injury, which was a blow to the club and country.

Ball may not yet be granted the all-clear, but his teammates, particularly flanker Josh Macleod, who was sidelined before the autumn series, hooker Elias and wing Ellis Mee, put on a battling display at Franklin’s Gardens.

Given that Joe Hawkins and Ben Thomas from Cardiff can fill the 10 spots, it is still to be seen how many specialist fly-halves Tandy will pick.