By guest columnist, Max Lindfield

Steve Tandy has named his Welsh squad for the Quilter Nations Series next month, with a fresh feel to the group, including five potential debutants.

Wales are coming off the back of ending their loss streak, having defeated Japan on their summer tour after 18 consecutive losses. They are set to face Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa at the Principality in November.

Speaking to Wales U20s head coach Richard Whiffin, it is clear that Tandy has selected a group with an eye for the future.

“It was great to get the monkey off the back with that win out in Japan,” Whiffin says.

“You’ve got some new blood in there that haven’t got that scar tissue.”

Included in the side is Louis Rees-Zammit, who attempted to make his way in NFL but returned to rugby this season, signing with the Bristol Bears.

When looking at Rees-Zammit’s physical growth, Whiffin adds: “He’s busted through collisions a lot more than he did before he went to the NFL.

“Building his engine back up will be the thing he’s been working hard at.”

While the returning speedster was named, in-form up-and-comer Tom Bowen’s name was missing.

There has been lots of talk surrounding the possibility of Bowen’s inclusion in Tandy’s squad. The 19-year-old Cardiff winger has had a good start to the United Rugby Championship, the joint top try scorer with 5 tries in the opening 4 games.

Whiffin has coached Bowen at U20 level and is confident that the teenager will make his Wales debut soon.

“He certainly possesses attributes, X Factor attributes,” Whiffin says.

“With his speed and footwork. I’m sure in the future he’ll be stepping up to the senior team. For him, I think it’s, it’s about keeping consolidating his place at Cardiff, working on the unseen bits of his game, around his defence and his positioning.”

For club, Bowen has linked up well with teammate Callum Sheedy, who has been called up to play in red again.

The 39-player squad has some experienced names, but the average age is just 26, with 5 uncapped players.

With the squad coming together for training next Monday, Tandy says the mix of experiences will stand Wales in good stead: “There’s a really good mix of some young guys coming in, mixed with some experience as well.

“But the overall feeling is really exciting, and I can’t wait to get the boys into camp on Monday. It’s been really exciting going through the whole process and realising how many good players we’ve got.”

Bath centre Louie Hennessy is set to make his first Welsh Appearance for the senior team, after having represented Wales at both U18 and U20.

Whiffin, who worked with Hennessy alongside Bowen adds: “He’s a big, physical man. He gives good physical presence in there, in that midfield.

“He also has an outstanding offloading skill set, so I think he will be able to get his arms free. He’s certainly not afraid to pull the trigger on an offload.”

Louie Hennessy is joined by Ospreys duo James Fender and Morgan Morse, Dragons’ Brodie Coghlan and Cardiff’s Danny Southworth as the 5 uncapped players hoping to make their mark in November.

With new coaching staff, players, and the losing streak shaken off, Tandy’s squad will be looking to hit the ground running towards their first game against Argentina on the 9^th of November in Cardiff.

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