URC: Wales rise with return of trio as South African teams take charge

Flanker Alex Mann, number eight Aaron Wainwright and hooker Dewi Leake have been leading the lights for Wales in the Six Nations, but Tandy would welcome more competition.

Morgan is arguably Wales’ only world-class player and the Lions forward showed his quality on Saturday.

Having been sidelined since dislocating his left shoulder in November, the 26-year-old has been straight into the bench battle with the Ospreys at Benetton.

Morgan produced a textbook Jackal on his line to win a crucial penalty, although his efforts were not enough in a costly defeat.

Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada watched at the Estadio Monigo and Tandy was no doubt watching the game back home.

The Gloucester-bound player will be desperate to finish strongly at Ospreys before he returns home this summer.

Faletau was named in Tandy’s first-team squad, but missed the autumn season with a knee injury, then suffered a calf injury before the Six Nations.

The 35-year-old returned with 24 minutes against the Bulls on Friday and showed his class with some powerful, fast moves.

Wainwright has stepped into the Wales squad – and wingers Mann and James Botham have been impressive alongside him – but Faletau remains a quality player for Tandy to rely on.

Hooker-Dee has appeared in all five Six Nations matches in 2025, but suffered a shoulder injury on the opening weekend of the season.

The 32-year-old returned as a starter against the Stormers and, after a typically feisty display, will have ambitions of battling Leck, Ryan Elias, Liam Belcher and team-mate Brodie Coughlan for playing time this summer.

Dee established himself as a reliable replacement under Warren Gatland, a role that frustrated him at the time, but which he would like to see back.

He will aim to participate in the World Cup for the third time after participating in the 2019 and 2023 editions.