By Steffan Thomas
Josh Macleod has been tipped as an international star of the future as Wayne Pivac gets ready to name his squad for Wales’ autumn campaign.
The Monte Carlo born openside has been in red hot form for the Scarlets making more turnovers, 23, than any other player in the Guinness PRO14 last season.
Unfortunately for Macleod he plies his trade in a position where Wales have an abundance of riches with the likes Taine Basham, Ollie Griffiths and James Davies all vying to join Justin Tipuric in the squad.
But his Scarlets teammate Sione Kalamafoni, who has played with and against some of the best opensides in the world, believes the 23-year-old is good enough to make his mark on the international game.
👑 The @BigRedCloud Turnover King 19/20 is @Scarlets_Rugby’s Josh Macleod 🔴
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/RmDOIPIwr8#GuinnessPRO14 pic.twitter.com/XE9rnBXHJ3
— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) September 2, 2020
“Josh has been talked about as a potential Wales international for a while now,” said the former Gloucester and Leicester Tigers man.
“Having seen him in training and played with him I’m confused as to why he hasn’t been in the Welsh team yet. But I’m pretty sure either this year or in the near future he will play for Wales.
“He’s a top quality player. He’s outstanding at the breakdown and is one of the best jacklers I’ve played with.
“He knows how to pick and chose which breakdowns to attack. He’s great at turning over the ball but also at slowing the ball down.
“Josh is so quick at clamping onto a ball if it’s in front of him. He’s a well rounded player who is good in attack and defence.
“Josh is a real leader in our squad as well and I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t get selected for Wales in the near future.”
How have they done that?!😱
Josh MacLeod has snatched victory for @scarlets_rugby! @Ospreys are beaten in the final play.#GUINNESSPRO14 #SCAvOSP pic.twitter.com/n9sDfONGGx
— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) December 26, 2017
Pivac will name his squad tomorrow morning for the rearranged Six Nations finale with Scotland along with the new Nations Cup.
The New Zealander will select a large squad of up to 38 with speculation over whether he’ll select uncapped Bristol Bears outside-half Callum Sheedy who also qualifies for England and Ireland.
With Eddie Jones having named his England squad this morning two Welsh qualified players were selected in Leicester Tigers prop Joe Heyes and Gloucester loose-forward Lewis Ludlow.
Pivac is likely to name a number of uncapped players in his squad with Gloucester try scoring sensation Louis Rees-Zammit, Scarlets centre Johnny Williams and Cardiff Blues blindside Shane Lewis-Hughes also contenders for the squad.
And Scarlets head coach Glenn Delaney is hoping Macleod has done enough to force his way into Pivac’s squad.
He said: “The Wales coaches were in attendance (against Munster) and Josh has been playing very well.
“We’ll wait with baited breath. He’s done as much as he can do and we are really proud of the year he has had.
“He’s made so many turnovers and he’s a real high quality performer at the contact area.”
It remains to be seen whether Macleod has done enough to make the cut but he doesn’t have long to wait.
