Wales team to play England: Louis Rees-Zammit starts

In what will be the 46-year-old’s first championship in charge of the nation, there are a number of questions around how Wales can look forward to the tournament, with the off-field politics taking centre stage.

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It’s a gloomy picture at the moment for the nation which prides itself on rugby. Ospreys’ owners are the preferred bidders for Cardiff Rugby. It’s now somewhat made this year’s Six Nations insignificant among many supporters, particularly Ospreys fans.

But it’s an uncomfortable position for all involved. However, Tandy has been given the task of bringing together a nation aiming to pick up a win for the first time since 2023 and avoid a third consecutive wooden spoon.

That almost looks like mission impossible, with perhaps the only favoured contest being against Italy at the end of the tournament. They, however, have to travel to Twickenham before facing France the following weekend and then Scotland and Ireland back-to-back.

In what perhaps many would see as a backwards step for Tandy, Tomas Francis is likely to be brought straight in to face England at tighthead. This is despite Keiron Assiratti being one of Wales’ top performers during the autumn internationals.

The only issue that may arise for Francis is whether he can maintain the same level of quality at international level after two years in Pro D2 with Provence Rugby. Time will tell.

Dewi Lake is a guaranteed starter with returning Ryan Elias likely to be selected on the bench. It’s a toss of a coin for who starts at loosehead. It’s between Leicester’s Nicky Smith and Saracens’ Rhys Carre.

Smith is the better technical scrummager, whilst Carre offers a difference, particularly with getting his side over the gainline. Smith, alongside both Lake and Francis, looks like a formidable force upfront for Wales.

Adam Beard, who hasn’t played for Montpellier since December 28, should start for Wales. He sneaks in just for his sheer size alone. Dafydd Jenkins should also start, but he needs to bring his strong club-level output to the international stage more consistently.

Ben Carter will more than likely be named on the bench, but will undoubtedly make these shirts competitive during training week.

The back row is where Wales have depth. With that comes selection headaches for Tandy and his backroom team.

Despite not being at his best in Cardiff's performances at the weekend, Alex Mann showed his qualities in abundance during the November internationals.

For both their ball-carrying abilities, I would have Aaron Wainwright at blindside and Olly Cracknell, who made his long-awaited international debut against Argentina, at eight.

Again, there is really no room for discussion here about who starts against England. The partnership of Tomos Williams and Dan Edwards will continue throughout the tournament, as both work incredibly well together.

In a time where Wales need big ball carriers, Scarlets’ Eddie James is in fine form to start at 13 with Max Llewellyn currently sidelined due to injury.

But there could be the argument that Tandy needs all the experience he’s got for the trip to Twickenham, and since making his return for the Ospreys back in December, Owen Watkin is another option for the outside centre spot.

The 29-year-old may be the safer bet here, with his last international appearance coming against France last January.

Likely to be on the inside will be Joe Hawkins. Again, he was one of Wales’ standouts during the autumn, and offers a difference in attack, particularly after spending much of his time playing for the Scarlets since November at 10 with Sam Costelow absent.

With Louis Rees-Zammit now looking to be Pat Lam’s number one at fullback for Bristol Bears, and with Blair Murray’s poor showing during the autumn, the 24-year-old is another who is guaranteed to start.

On the wings, for experience I’ve gone with Josh Adams, although I would not be at all shocked if Tandy selects Tom Rogers, who has started to establish himself of late on the international scene.

It’s between Rogers and Mason Grady as to who starts on the other wing. Rogers makes a strong argument to start following his heroic hat-trick against the All Blacks, but the size and power that Grady has may prove to be hard to ignore for Tandy.

Wales starting lineup to face England: Rees-Zammit; Adams, Watkin, Hawkins, Grady, Edwards, Williams; Smith, Lake (Capt), Francis, Jenkins, Beard, Wainwright, Mann, Cracknell