The Steve Tandy verdict on Baa-Baas win as George North makes candid admission

Head coach Steve Tandy declared Wales’ win over the Barbarians a “brilliant hit-out” for their Nations Championship opener with Fiji.

Wales were without 13 England and France-based players because the Allianz Stadium fixture fell outside World Rugby’s official window and held on for a 33-31 victory.

It was the first time Wales had recorded back-to-back wins since the 2023 World Cup, after ending their Six Nations campaign in March with victory over Italy.

Wales now their turn attention to next Saturday’s Cardiff clash against Fiji, which is officially an away game, before concluding the first part of the inaugural Nations Championship with trips to Argentina and South Africa.

Tandy said: “There’s lots to learn and get better at, but getting the win is great for us.

“I thought we probably could have put more distance in it in the first half, but it’s a brilliant hit-out for us.

“There was lots to like. I think it’s everything you wanted going into Fiji, because that’s going to be chaotic at times.

“There’s going to be moments that you can be in really good positions and something happens. It’s great preparation.”

Wales were never headed in steamy south west London with Dan Edwards – who crossed twice and scored 14 points – Kieran Hardy, Reuben Morgan-Williams and Ellis Mee on the try sheet.

Tandy was further boosted by the return from injury of Cardiff second-row forward Teddy Williams and Gloucester-bound flanker Jac Morgan.

Williams had not played since dislocating his foot last October, while British and Irish Lions star Morgan was making his first Wales appearance since dislocating a shoulder against Argentina in November.

Tandy said: “It’s great for us to get everything live.

“You can train as much as you want and the boys have worked really hard, but there’s nothing quite like feeling it in this heat against a team that are going to keep the ball, which tests us.

“So, there’ll be lots of lessons to learn. But ultimately it’s great to get minutes for a lot of young boys, too.”

George North had a fairytale finish to his career with two tries after coming on as a second-half Barbarians replacement and adding a conversion with the final act of the match.

The 34-year-old scored 47 tries in 121 Wales appearances between 2010 and 2024 and toured twice with the British and Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017.

North told S4C: “I thought my last game had happened. I had a phone call from Robbie (Deans, Barbarians coach) asking how my body was, he asked me to play and this week has been special.

“I wasn’t ready to be honest when I came on. I was thinking just keep hold of the ball, take a deep breath and go.

“To get the chance to play today with my sons in the crowd who were so excited to see their dad play again.”