Wales must plan for scrum‑half options ahead of the World Cup
Tomos Williams appears to have the most secure place in Wales’ starting line‑up for next year’s World Cup in Australia. The 31‑year‑old scrum‑half has started every test he was available for since Steve Tandy took charge in the summer of 2025, missing only the November loss to South Africa and a June uncapped match against the Barbarians, both outside World Rugby’s international window.
Williams moved from Gloucester to Saracens in the summer and has logged full‑time minutes in every game under Tandy. He featured for the full 80 minutes in wins over Japan and Fiji and was taken off with two minutes left against Italy. In the 2026 Six Nations he accumulated 378 minutes, serving a ten‑minute suspension for a yellow card against Ireland. By comparison, France’s Antoine Dupont recorded 357 minutes (with Maxime Lucu injured), Ireland’s Jamison Gibson‑Park logged 323, and Scotland’s Ben White played 302.
Only two other scrum‑halves have been included in matchday squads under Tandy: Ospreys’ Kieran Hardy and Reuben Morgan‑Williams. Hardy, who started against South Africa and the Barbarians, made five brief substitute appearances, while Morgan‑Williams came off the bench three times. Hardy now faces a lengthy lay‑off after a knee injury sustained against the Dragons earlier this month, which could open the door for more game time for Morgan‑Williams, who has had to be patient at international level. Ospreys head coach Mark Jones praised Morgan‑Williams last season, saying, “He’s a real competitor and has got a real appetite on both sides of the ball. He injects speed into the game. What I like about him is his personality. He’s just straight‑talking, no messing around.”
Tandy will need to identify a third specialist as the team counts down to the World Cup, where another selection decision will be required. In 2023, Warren Gatland began with two scrum‑halves – Williams and Gareth Davies – before adding Hardy after number eight Taulupe Faletau’s injury ahead of the quarter‑final loss to Argentina.
Dragons scrum‑half Che Hope was once considered a possible summer tourist for Wales until a hamstring injury in February 2024. The 23‑year‑old has returned this season to share starts with Rhodri Williams, who earned his ninth cap in the 2025 Six Nations. Dragons defence coach Dale MacLeod urged caution, noting Hope has only 30 senior appearances. “Che is quick, exciting and can turn nothing into something,” the New Zealander said. “He is a great support runner and is starting to become a much better defensive player. He is growing his game nicely and with all younger boys coming through you need to have a blend by giving opportunities without throwing them in the deep end. Che will only get better because he is still a young man and I am looking forward to him getting some unhindered time in the saddle.”
Gareth Davies, who retired from test rugby in 2024 after 77 caps, a Grand Slam and a Six Nations title, remains a regular for the Scarlets. Although he started against Newcastle last Saturday, he has become accustomed to a bench role. Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies admitted, “He struggled with it for the first couple of years because he is such a competitor and wants to start. He is mellowing into that role where he can come on and make an impact.” Davies will be 37 at the World Cup, but former teammate Jonathan Davies believes age will not hinder him. “He has always been one of the most fiercely competitive animals in the rugby environment,” he said on the Scrum V podcast. “He looks after himself and is a great pro. He can definitely still do it.”
While some suggest Davies as an emergency option, Scarlets coach Dwayne Peel highlighted the qualities of Dane Blacker, who has started all three United Rugby Championship games to date. “He’s a player who wants to play the game quickly and he’s been very, very good for us,” Peel said.
With 12 or 13 fixtures remaining before Wales open their 2027 World Cup campaign against Zimbabwe in Adelaide on 2 October, Tandy must balance building momentum with ensuring a robust contingency plan at scrum‑half.