Three Cardiff players will be involved this weekend after Wales head coach Steve Tandy unveiled his team to face Scotland in round three of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations at Principality Stadium.
Wales make four alterations to the starting XV for Saturday’s encounter in the capital, with Cardiff representation once again prominent across the matchday 23 for the side’s second home fixture of this year’s Championship.
Josh Adams retains his place on the wing, while Alex Mann once again starts at openside flanker, as he continues to grow in influence at Test level. James Botham is also named among the replacements and is in line to make his first appearance of this season’s Championship.
Elsewhere in the side, Former Cardiff winger Gabriel Hamer-Webb is set to make his Wales debut on the wing, becoming the 1,221st men’s international for his country, while Ben Carter comes into the second row for his first Six Nations start and Sam Costelow is selected at fly-half for his first appearance of this year’s campaign.
Taine Plumtree is named at blindside flanker for his first Six Nations start, with Aaron Wainwright shifting to number eight.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Tandy said the changes reflect both the short turnaround and the need to build momentum as the Championship reaches its midpoint.
“There are some changes to the team this week. We feel this is the best team to take on Scotland and with a six-day turnaround you want some freshness as well going into the game.
“It’s our third game of the Championship. We want to build on our performance. We want to see more consistent moments and back-to-back moments, which we feel if we get we’ll be closer to getting the outcome we want from games.”
On Hamer-Webb’s inclusion, Tandy added:
“Gabe has really impressed me in the way he’s attacked training, the way he’s learnt, the way he’s adapted and the way he’s just settled into the squad. His training efforts have been outstanding.
“When he had his opportunity he took it with two hands and now this opportunity has come up and it’s thoroughly deserved.”
Wales team v Scotland – Guinness Six Nations
- Rhys Carre (Saracens – 25 caps)
- Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 28 caps) captain
- Tomas Francis (Provence Rugby – 79 caps)
- Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 28 caps)
- Ben Carter (Dragons – 16 caps)
- Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 13 caps)
- Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby – 13 caps)
- Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 64 caps)
- Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 69 caps)
- Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 19 caps)
- Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 67 caps)
- Joe Hawkins (Scarlets – 8 caps)
- Eddie James (Scarlets – 6 caps)
- Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Leicester Tigers – uncapped)
- Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears – 37 caps)
Replacements
16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 45 caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 60 caps)
18. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby – 13 caps)
19. Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby – 7 caps)
20. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 18 caps)
21. Kieran Hardy (Ospreys – 30 caps)
22. Jarrod Evans (Harlequins – 15 caps)
23. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 14 caps)