Four key calls for Tandy as Welsh exiles force their way into picture

WALES head coach Steve Tandy will name his squad for the upcoming Six Nations next week.

- STEFFAN THOMAS

> Bristol centre James Williams

Over the coming days, Tandy and his backroom staff will sit down to put the final pieces of the selection jigsaw together.

In reality the majority of his squad will already be set in stone but there will be at least a handful of calls which could be swayed by the final round of the pool stages of both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup this weekend.

Here are the four key selection calls Tandy will need to make.

BRISTOL Bears director of rugby Pat Lam has been effusive in his praise of centre James Williams who he has described as the Roy Keane of his side due to his no-nonsense approach and leadership qualities.

‘The Gallagher Prem high-flyers are renowned for their high-risk and expansive brand of rugby but Williams is the glue of that team.

"There's probably more talented players, without a doubt, but one thing I'll back Jimmy on is he will compete and fight for everything,” Lam told WalesOnline’s Welsh Rugby Podcast.

“He's probably like the Roy Keane of our team attitude wise. He won't give in and he'll fight for everything.

“My twelves are really important. ‘They need to be able to play 10, drive the game and have second eyes.

“He's another reject who was playing in the Championship. He was at Sale but got let go there and went to Hartpury.

“I saw him when we played them in preseason and I thought who is this guy? They almost beat us and he was the one driving it.

“But I watched him closely and the way he controlled everything, so I offered him a contract. He’s taken that opportunity very well.”

When push comes to shove if there is a player starting week-in week-out for a side sitting in the top four of the Gallagher Prem that is Welsh-qualified, he needs to be seriously considered for national squad selection.