Wales head coach Warren Gatland named four uncapped players in his 36-man training squad, as preparations get underway for the Summer test series. Wales are set for a blockbuster fixture against South Africa at Twickenham, before they head to Australia for two matches against the Wallabies.
Wales then round off the tour with an exhibition match against the Queensland Reds, who currently have their sights set on a Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final against the Chiefs. Gatland selected four uncapped players amongst the 22 forwards and 15 backs, which were named yesterday as Cardiff Rugby’s Ellis Bevan (scrum half) and Jacob Beetham (full back), as well as wingers Keelan Giles (Ospreys) and Josh Hathaway (Gloucester Rugby).
These four talents are all brimming with potential, and will be eager to make their maiden run out for Wales this Summer. Here is a run down of the quartet of budding uncapped hopefuls, as Wales begin their preparations for the forthcoming battle with the ‘Boks on June 22nd.
ELLIS BEVAN (CARDIFF RUGBY)
An exciting scrum half who has been tearing it up in blue and black this season, Ellis Bevan has more than staked his claim for the Cardiff nine shirt this year. Despite being born in Solihull in the English Midlands, Bevan has his sights on doing the same in the famous Welsh red, and has dutifully earned a call-up into Warren Gatland’s wider training squad for the Summer. Bevan has previously gained international honours with the Wales U20 squad, which coincided alongside his scholarly tenure at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Whilst Bevan’s first taste of U20s honours was unsuccessful, with Wales defeated by Italy on the opening round of the 2020 U20 Six Nations, he soon found success along with his first try at the age grade level. Bevan crossed over for a try against France U20s, with halfback partner Sam Costelow kicking the extras for the 14-11 win. Bevan has long been on the radar for a Welsh camp breakthrough, after he marked his Cardiff senior debut with a try against Welsh rivals Ospreys, in the short-lived Rainbow Cup of 2021.
A dynamic ball-player, Bevan continued to progress up the ranks in the Welsh capital and made his first senior start at the beginning of the current season. With Tomos Williams away on Wales duties at the Rugby World Cup, Bevan had the ultimate opportunity to impress and made good on his inaugural run in the Cardiff nine shirt. The 24-year-old crossed over for a try against Benetton, and kick-started his United Rugby Championship season that would see him jostle for the starting jersey when Williams returned from France.
Bevan would go on to make 10 starts from 22 appearances, with the veteran Williams taking precedence over the young halfback. However, opportunity once again will be knocking for Bevan, as Tomos Williams has confirmed his move to Gloucester Rugby for the 2024/25 season. The upcoming Summer will be a valuable learning curve for Bevan, who could well take the experiences of the international stage back home to Cardiff, to then lead the line at the Arms Park for the upcoming URC and European campaigns.