Steve Tandy has named his Wales team for their first match of the inaugrual World Ruby Nations Championship against Fiji.
After ending their dismal 2026 Six Nations campaign on a high note, securing a 31-17 win over Italy, Wales head into the new Nations Championship with hope that they can begin to improve on their recent results.
Three wins from their last 10 Test matches is an impressive return, especially when you consider that the Red Dragons lost 18 matches in a row prior to their first win of that three.
Alongside beating Italy, Tandy's side also secured two wins over Japan in that time, but a win over Fiji would be their most impressive for a long time.
The headline of Tandy's first XV of the summer comes in the backline, with Louis Rees-Zammit returning to the wing, having played at full back for his country since returning from the NFL.
This means that Blair Murray is selected at 15 for the fixture, joining Rees-Zammit and Josh Adams in the back three.
Eddie James and Joe Hawkins form an unfamiliar centre pairing, outside of Dan Edwards and Tomos Williams, who form the half backs.
Rhys Carre is given the nod over Nicky Smith at loosehead prop, joined in the front row by captain Dewi Lake and Dillon Lewis, whilst Adam Beard is joined at second row by Ben Carter.
Alex Mann starts at 6, with Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright completing a strong back row.
Ben Warren is named as the replacement tight head prop, for what would be his first international cap.
Wales team to play Fiji
Starting XV: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Eddie James, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Tomos Williams; 1 Rhys Carre, 2 Dewi Lake (c), 3 Dillon Lewis, 4 Ben Carter, 5 Adam Beard, 6 Alex Mann, 7 Jac Morgan, 8 Aaron Wainwright.
Substitutes: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Ben Warren, 19 Taine Plumtree, 20 James Botham, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Ellis Mee.
