Rugby analyst Christian Nicholas has urged Wales to hand Callum Sheedy the No.10 jersey for Sunday’s Test against Argentina.
Nicholas believes the Cardiff fly-half’s control, kicking variety and experience make him the best option to help launch the Steve Tandy era.
Against a background of prolonged turmoil and anxiety in the domestic game, Wales start their Quilter Autumn Series against the Pumas – a clash which will see Wales as the firm underdogs.
Speaking on the DragonSports YouTube channel, Nicholas has given his suggested XV to begin the new campaign – with Sheedy edging out Dan Edwards of the Ospreys.
“This was a really tough one,” he says.
“I think most people are going to say Dan Edwards, and I wouldn’t be disappointed if it was Dan Edwards.
“But personally, I’m going to go with Sheedy. He’s the hot hand at the moment. He’s in the best form out of all the tens.”
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Nicholas reckons Sheedy’s range of passing and kicking, as well as his familiarity with attack coach Matt Sherratt, should give Wales greater fluency in limited preparation time.
“None of the tens have the passing variety and the kick variety that he has,” he adds.
“He’s worked under Sherratt as well, and they’re only going to have a handful of training sessions. Someone who’s familiar with his system could make a real difference.”
Sheedy, 28, has been in strong form for Cardiff this season and last started for Wales in 2023.
His combination with Tomos Williams at scrum-half, Nicholas believes, could provide the balance between structure and invention that Tandy’s side requires.
“Williams came under criticism before because he didn’t always perform like he does for his club,” Nicholas says.
“Maybe that was just the structure he was in. Matt Sherratt knows how to get the best out of him — hopefully we see that.”
Nicholas’s full selection blends stablished internationals with emerging prospects.
In the front row he chooses Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake and Archie Griffin, describing Lake as someone who “picks himself” and praising Smith for “taking ownership” of the loose-head spot.
Griffin was selected because Wales “don’t have too many riches at tight-head” and he “has the most upside”.
His second-row pairing pairs Adam Beard and Dafydd Jenkins for their experience, while the back-row features captain Jac Morgan at openside flanker, Aaron Wainwright at No.8 and Alex Mann at blindside.
Nichloas admits Mann may be smallish in international terms to play at No.6 but reckons his competitive edge and aggression will allow Morgan to focus on the breakdown.
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Behind the scrum, Nicholas opts for Joe Hawkins and Max Llewellyn in midfield.
Hawkins, he says, “hasn’t lit up the league since coming back to Wales” but remains “a footballer with a big boot, physicality and vision”.
His back three features the returning Louis Rees-Zammit on one wing, with the experienced Josh Adams on the other and Blair Murray at full-back.
Despite his confidence in the balance of the squad, Nicholas admits uncertainty about the outcome against the Pumas.
“Nort bad – but I don’t know if that’s good enough to beat Argentina,” he admits.
