The Wales team verdict: New man is the real deal but recalled star will be targeted

The most intriguing selection is on the bench

10:53, 04 Mar 2026

There was no sweeping overhaul from Steve Tandy this week, with just three changes to his starting XV amid injuries. Yet while the run-on side remains largely familiar, it’s a decision among the replacements that has sparked the most intrigue.

After being included in the previous two squads, Tandy has finally decided the moment is right to bring Bath centre Hennessey into the matchday 23. Writing in his WalesOnline column last week, Wales great Jonathan “Jiffy” Davies tipped a midfield partnership of Eddie James and Hennessey as the long-term answer.

Hennessey was a standout performer for Wales Under-20s and, although he is not currently a first-choice pick at Bath, he has made a noticeable impression whenever given his opportunity.

Rewind the clock to the opening round of the U20s Six Nations in 2023 and Wales lose to Ireland but the then 18-year-old Hennessey is the stand out player.

Hennessey is the architect of arguably the try of the championship when he runs a sharp line past the Ireland defence before an outrageous offload out the back door to Cameron Winnett eventually ends up with Llien Morgan scoring at the corner.

It was a such a sublime piece of skill it won many admirers, not least of all All Blacks great Sonny Bill Williams, whose offloading style was his trademark throughout an exceptional career in both codes of rugby.

Hennessey undoubtedly has the pace, power and skill to hold his own in the international arena but his offloading game is a significant point of difference.

The young man from Cardiff is an x-factor player who has big moments in games and can spark try scoring opportunities out of nothing.

It remains to be seen how Hennessey copes with the rigours of the senior international game but this could be the start of a long Test career.

Wales’ midfield has still not totally convinced over the course of the Championship. Eddie James was outstanding against Scotland and is here to stay but his partnership with Joe Hawkins has yet to operate at optimum levels at Test level.

There have been big moments in attack, particularly from James, but defensively they have not looked convincing as a unit.

Wales great Davies is of the opinion Tandy should move James to 12 in order to make it easier to get over the gainline rather than go with the luxury of a ball playing inside centre.

To do that would require attack coach Matt Sherratt to tinker with his attacking philosophy but it will be interesting to see whether Hennessey is paired with James at some stage of the game.

Arguably the bench is the more interesting part of Tandy’s selection and the Wales coach has clearly opted for size and power.

The starting back-five of the scrum is mobile and athletic but there is real power to come off the bench.

Dafydd Jenkins and Ben Carter were excellent in the narrow defeat to Scotland but Ireland will come hard at Wales in the driving lineout so selecting Adam Beard on the bench may be a wise move.

Olly Cracknell is another player who will add some carrying clout later on in the game, as will Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias who is a powerful carrier.

Ireland took England to the cleaners at the breakdown while they also got over the gain-line at will.

Wales will need to slow Ireland down and James Botham will have a big role to play, as will Alex Mann in fronting up to the likes of Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier.

Jamison Gibson-Park is the key player for Ireland and if he is given an armchair ride it is difficult to see how Wales can keep the scoreline respectable.

Ospreys outside-half Dan Edwards also has a golden opportunity to keep Sam Costelow out of the side after the Scarlets playmaker impressed against Scotland.

Edwards is unlikely to get the forward platform provided to Costelow against Scotland but he has to kick accurately.

The 22-year-old also needs to get Hawkins and James into the game as Costelow did so well a couple of weeks ago.

There is also no doubt powerhouse Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey will target Edwards’ channel. If Ireland are able to punch holes there then the game will get away from Wales very quickly.

The Wales forwards need to gain at least parity at the contact area and slow Ireland down.

If Wales can get enough of their game onto the field then they can hurt teams but it is doubtful they will be able to do that against a powerful Ireland outfit at the Aviva Stadium.

Wales: Louis Rees-Zammit; Ellis Mee, Eddie James, Joe Hawkins, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Dewi Lake (Captain), Tomas Francis, Dafydd Jenkins, Ben Carter, Alex Mann, James Botham, Aaron Wainwright. Replacements: Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Archie Griffin, Adam Beard, Olly Cracknell, Kieran Hardy, Jarrod Evans, Louie Hennessey.