Seven names now potential Wales targets as Steve Tandy looks for new depth

For a country the size of Wales, building and sustaining genuine depth at international level has never been straightforward.

In the professional era, the WRU have often looked beyond its borders to strengthen the talent pool whether through players with Welsh heritage or those qualifying on residency, like Hadleigh Parkes.

Steve Tandy will undoubtedly be focusing on building some much-needed strength in depth over a number of years.

Here are a few who could come into the mix over the coming years and add depth to the national set-up:

Jack Walsh

The Ospreys playmaker is a very talented footballer who has been a huge asset to the club since joining from Exeter Chiefs in 2022.

Walsh was born in Jacksonville, Florida, due to his father's work but grew up in Australia when the family moved back Down Under when he was five.

Walsh will qualify to represent Wales under the five-year residency rule shortly before the 2027 Rugby World Cup assuming he signs a new contract with the Ospreys or one of the other three Welsh clubs.

"He's definitely somebody who would interest the national coaches if he becomes eligible," Ospreys head coach Mark Jones said last December.

"I've no doubt about that. When you look at his skillset he's got a little bit of everything.

"We know he's got the capability to attack the line. He's a running threat and his skillset is very very good.

"He's improving his kicking all the time and I think you saw on the weekend his aerial stuff is very consistent as well.

"He's not the biggest of guys but he's good technically in the air and he's putting a lot of work into it. He's got the right mentality."

Wales have the likes of Dan Edwards, Sam Costelow, Jarrod Evans and Callum Sheedy vying for the number 10 shirt but extra competition is always welcome.

Archer Holz

The powerful Australian tighthead joined the Scarlets from the Waratahs in September 2024 and he has made a big impression in west Wales.

Previously players could qualify for another nation based on three years of unbroken residency but this has gone up to five which makes it trickier when it comes to project players.

Holz would not qualify until early 2029 so it would be a big commitment on his part if he was to stay in Wales for that long.

There is also the added complication that the 26-year-old represented Australia A in the Pacific Nations Cup in 2022 so the WRU would need to ascertain whether that ties him to the land of his birth.

But Wales are short of destructive scrummaging tightheads and this is an area where Holz has thrived for the Scarlets, so his future plans and eligibility are certainly worth exploring.

Fletcher Anderson

The 23-year-old New Zealander only signed for the Scarlets last September but he has already made a huge impression.

Anderson is a dynamic and explosive ball carrier who has given the Scarlets the go-forward they have so desperately been craving.

The former Crusaders backrower will have to wait until 2030 to represent Wales which would be an enormous commitment, especially if he continues on an upward trajectory because he will attract interest from clubs in England, France, Japan and back home in New Zealand.

There are also rumours he may be Scottish-qualified, although that has yet to be confirmed.

But whatever the new structure looks like the WRU needs to be proactive and invest in players like Anderson, provided he is open to representing Wales at some point in the future.

Welsh rugby is short of ball carriers of his stature.

Tahlor Cahill

Prior to the disbandment of the WRU's Exiles system big Canterbury Crusaders lock Tahlor Cahill was one player they had established had Welsh qualifications through a grandparent.

The 21-year-old is an athletic forward who can play at lock and the backrow. He is an excellent lineout forward who is also a powerful carrier capable of making significant post-contact metres.

He is Welsh-qualified and has been getting regular game-time for the Crusaders in this season's Super Rugby Pacific.

If he were to represent Wales he would likely have to sign for a club in Wales or at least one in the Northern Hemisphere.

Wales' pack took huge strides during the Six Nations but they are still short of depth and any Welsh-qualified player starting regularly in Super Rugby should be seriously considered.

Kane James

The Exeter Chiefs backrower is one of the finest prospects in the English game and was an integral part of the England who won the U20s World Cup in 2024.

James was born in Haverfordwest but came through the ranks at St Peters RFC in Cardiff before getting picked up by the Chiefs.

He qualifies for Wales, England and New Zealand so Tandy has a real fight on his hands if he wants to persuade James to represent the land of his birth.

James is an explosive carrier with x-factor, while his offloading and physicality are a real point of difference.

The Exeter Chiefs backrower picked up an injury on the eve of the Six Nations but Tandy could do worse than select the 20-year-old for the inaugural Nations Championship.

Jonny Green

Powerful second-rows who stand at 6ft 7in and over 18 stone don't exactly grow on trees in Wales.

Green hails from Haywards Heath in West Sussex but qualifies for Wales through his mother's side of the family.

The 22-year-old played for Wales U20s and is part of the WRU's Wales Player Pathway (WPP) programme.

But he currently plays for English giants Harlequins and while not a first-choice player, he has been getting more game-time this season.

Bryn Bradley

The Harlequins centre is a big man at 6ft 5in and 16st 10lb.

Bradley has started to get far more minutes for a struggling Harlequins side this season and has impressed.

The former Wales U20s centre is dual-qualified and is an explosive ball carrier with an excellent offloading game, having previously been compared to Jamie Roberts.

He is certainly a player who could be an asset for Tandy's side in the future.