STADIUM: Principality Stadium
HEAD COACH: Wayne Pivac (NZL)
CAPTAIN: Dan Biggar
NOTABLE INCLUSIONS:
As well as plenty of the usual names in the squad, Cardiff back rower Ellis Jenkins has been given a place, and he was one of Cardiff’s stars in the European Rugby Champions Cup loss to Toulouse at the end of last year, so could make an impact as the tournament goes on. Uncapped Ospreys flanker Jac Morgan is another who has shone this season, so could also be one to watch if Wayne Pivac decides to give him his first cap during the tournament. Fly-half Gareth Anscombe will continue his international return, having been part of last year’s Autumn internationals squad, while Jonathan Davies and Willis Halaholo provide experienced options in the midfield to balance out some of the younger players included.
2021 PLACING: 1st
2022 TOURNAMENT PREDICTION:
There will be a lot of attention on Wales this year, as the defending champions, but it is unlikely that they will repeat that success in this year’s edition of the competition. That is not because they aren’t capable of reaching the top again, but simply because their injury list is so extensive at the moment, with Ken Owens, Taulupe Faletau, Dan Lydiate, Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, George North, Leigh Halfpenny, Elliott Dee, Josh Macleod and Johnny Williams all unavailable for them. However, they will still be a tough team to play against, home and away, and a top three placing is likely to be where they end up. The first few games will give us a better idea of what their final placing could be, as we will know by then how well they are coping without those aforementioned names.
