If you haven’t been scrolling through the ups and downs of Welsh rugby twitter (or X) over the last few days you may have missed the news that Welsh internationals Leigh Halfpenny and Wyn Jones have signed for London-based club Harlequins.

The move produced a slightly bizarre stat.

Harlequins now have 215 Wales senior caps in their squad with Halfpenny and Wyn Jones joining ex-Cardiff pair Dillon Lewis and Jarrod Evans who moved to Twickenham last summer.

Halfpenny has since retired from Wales duty but the other three are all still eligible for international rugby.

Gloucester rugby also have their own Welsh quartet with Sportin Wales co-founder Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams, Max Llewellyn and Josh Hathaway combining for 98 caps.

Of all the names listed above, only Hathaway played this summer against Australia, winning a debut cap in the first test.

The combined total of both clubs is more than Wales’ total number of caps for the XV which started the first test against Australia, while Harlequins have more international caps than Scarlets going into next season.

Halfpenny has retired internationally, as have George North and Dan Biggar who both ply their trade in France, but of those available, what would a non-Wales based team look like? Sportin Wales have the answers:

Full Back: Liam Williams (Kubota Spears) 92 caps

An easy pick. Wales saw the best of Williams at points in Australia, some classy touches including a take in the air and offload in the first test.

However, there were errors. Flicking the ball back into play from an Aussie kick to touch only to see Filipo Daugunu collect the ball and sprint in to score.

Right Wing: Alex Cuthbert (Unattached) 57 caps

Sportin Wales co-founder Cuthbert won the last of his Wales caps in last year’s Six Nations against Scotland.

After a frustrating season blighted by injury, Cuthbert was starting to look back to somewhere near his best against Munster when he scored a try and looked set to run in for a second only to suffer a hamstring injury which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.

Currently without a club, it will be interesting to see where he ends up next season.

Outside Centre: Max Llewellyn (Gloucester) 2 caps

Former Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf product Llewellyn is yet to truly explode at Gloucester or in international rugby in the way that some may have expected given his performances last season at Cardiff where he was impressive in both the 12 and 13 jerseys, cutting brilliant angles off the back of lineouts in particular.

He just pips one of Wales’ hottest prospects in Louie Hennessey who has shone for Wales’ U20s in successive seasons and has begun to break into the Bath squad with a lot more to come from the 20-year-old.

Inside Centre: Joe Hawkins (Exeter Chiefs) 5 caps

Nick Tompkins has been a superb servant for Wales and was brilliant at times during last year’s Rugby World Cup, however, this year it is safe to say he has not been at his best.

Hawkins was touted as a future Welsh star when he made his international debut in the Autumn of 2022. Gatland has also tipped him for a move to 10 for the future with the added physicality he offers a huge potential asset.

Left Wing: Regan Grace (Bath Rugby) 0 caps

Despite not having played a competitive professional rugby union match, much is expected of the former St Helen’s rugby league man.

Grace scored for Wales against Queensland Reds in Australia, showcasing his great speed but it was in defence where he was most impressive, making more than one crucial read in order to limit the opposition’s attack.

There’s a long way to go, but it was a promising start.

Fly Half: Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester Rugby) 37 caps

Some may point to Jarrod Evans at Harlequins or Rhys Patchell who has just joined Wayne Pivac at Japan’s NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu, however we have opted for Anscombe.

Long-term injuries mean Anscombe has not played as much rugby as he would have liked since playing a starring role in Wales’ 2019 Grand Slam, but he remains a steadying influence and his experience could transform Warren Gatland’s side.

Scrum Half: Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby) 58 caps

Anscombe’s new and old half-back partner Williams joins his former Cardiff teammate at the Cherry and Whites.

A player known for his ‘X-factor’, Williams will be a shoe-in at scrumhalf for Wales once he returns from injury.

Loosehead Prop: Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers) 46 caps

The man who turned South Africa’s two-time World Cup winning tighthead inside out is on his way to Leicester this summer and Welsh rugby is much poorer for it.

Smith was brilliant last season with his scrummaging prowess but has surprisingly been unable to force his way into the international set up.

He is joined in England by Wyn Jones who moves to Harlequins following a frustrating season where he was forced to split his duties between either side of the scrum as injury cover.

Hooker: Kirby Myhill (Miami Sharks) 1 cap

Not much choice here, although it would be hard to consider anyone to displace Dewi Lake after his performances in Australia.

Myhill won his solitary Wales cap under Pivac against New Zealand in the Autumn of 2021, but has since moved stateside. U20s hooker Will Austin is another who plays outside Wales with the 19-year-old currently at Sale Sharks.

Tighthead Prop: Tomas Francis (Provence) 77 caps

Firstly, selecting Francis is not a slight on Bath’s Archie Griffin who was superb during Wales’ tour to Australia. However, Francis’ experience would be a huge benefit for Gatland’s men.

The former Exeter and Ospreys tighthead is a solid performer and his presence in the squad has been missed with Wales lacking depth in that position.

Second Row: Will Rowlands (Racing 92) 33 caps

The ex-Dragons man was named Wales Player of the Year in 2022 by the Welsh writers association and at times he has been by far Wales’ most physical and consistent player.

He played a quieter role during the Six Nations as Gatland went for the combination of Jenkins and Adam Beard, but he offers a larger ball carrying presence than both and having been rested this summer, will look to come back with a vengeance to regain his place.

Second Row: Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs) 19 caps

Wales’ captain during the Six Nations is a work horse and a half, shining in the second row and at six during the tournament. While he may not be quite as explosive as other top level locks, he has the talent to become a mainstay for years to come.

Mature beyond his years to be given the Wales and Exeter captaincy.

Blindside Flanker: Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs) 12 caps

While his best position is still to be decided, Tshiunza produced arguably his best performance as a full Welsh international during the summer tour to Australia in the second row.

Capable of playing anywhere from 4-8, Tshiunza has always been thought of as an incredible physical specimen and looks to have bulked out further during his recovery from a broken foot which ruled him out of the Six Nations.

Openside Flanker: Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers) 20 caps

Tommy ‘Turnover’ Reffell fully justified his nickname during the Six Nations having twice as many breakdown steals as anyone else during the tournament.

While he was slightly quieter during the summer tour, he was still impressive in the loose. It will be a fascinating battle between him and Jac Morgan for years to come in that seven jersey.

Number Eight: Ross Moriarty (Brive) 54 caps

The former Dragons man was a regular under Gatland in previous seasons, admired for his physicality and aggression, something which boiled over with his red card against Argentina in 2018.

However, he hasn’t played for Wales since the 2022 Six Nations and .the days of Pivac. The former England U20 international will spend another season in France’s Pro D2 and would be a surprise return for Gatland in the future.

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