Wales player ratings vs Barbarians | 2026

Wales have warmed up for their Nations Championship opener against Fiji in Cardiff next week with a 33-31 win against the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium.

Steve Tandy’s team were pushed hard in a sweltering West London by Scott Robertson’s scratch side, who saw George North cross the whitewash twice in his final match before retirement.

Dan Edward’s two tries went a long way to securing Wales a win, as Kieran Hardy, Reuben Morgan Williams and Ellis Mee also dotted down.

Next week Wales’ squad will contain players that ply their trade in the Gallagher Prem and France’s Top 14, but could some of today’s performances have landed more Wales-based talent in the matchday 23 next weekend at Cardiff City Stadium?

15. Blair Murray – 7
Blair Murray made more metres [109] than any of his teammates on Saturday afternoon at Allianz Stadium. The full-back made finding open ground look straightforward on a sweltering West London afternoon. Murray was constantly hoping to drive Wales forward, which he did, and may have potentially loosened Louis Rees-Zammit’s grip on the starting full-back jersey in the process.

14. Tom Rogers – 5
A fairly quiet afternoon for Tom Rogers. The wing did carry the ball eight times for 39 metres as the Barbarians made space to attack a rare commodity. As things opened up in the second half, Rogers did have more involvement, but nothing spectacular.

13. Eddie James – 5
A challenging afternoon at the office for Eddie James. At outside centre the 23-year-old could not make an impact and he lost three turnovers during his 51-minute appearance – two more than any other player on the pitch. He was involved in one smart interchange in midfield during the first half and also completed nine tackles.

12. Joe Hawkins – 8
Joe Hawkins has clearly resound his confidence again. The centre was a lively figure in midfield for Wales, was constantly on the lookout for touches of the ball and made some of those carries count. His leg drive opened the door for Dan Edwards’ opening try and in the second half he provided the assist for Ellis Mee’s score.

11. Ellis Mee – 6
You did have to feel for Ellis Mee at full-time, who had not one but two tries ruled out in this game. The 22-year-old wing, much like Rogers, struggled for opportunities to get his hands on the ball in the first half. When the game opened up more of those chances came. By full-time Mee did have one try to his name, a team-high six defenders beaten and 67 metres from 11 carries.

10. Dan Edwards – 8
A really good day at the office for Wales playmaker. Dan Edwards scored two tries in his 51-minute display, the first was a walk in as the Barbarians defence was stretched, but the second was a real show of pace to chase Kieran Hardy’s box-kick to dot down. This performance can be a big boost for the 23-year-old’s confidence ahead of the Nations Championship.

9. Kieran Hardy – 7
Kieran Hardy was at the heart of Wales’ opening three tries at Allianz Stadium. It was the scrum-half’s awareness of space that prompted him to lunge over the whitewash for the opening score of the game. His tempo opened up the door for Edwards first score, and his box-kick was inch-perfect for his fly-half to register the game’s third score.

1. Gareth Thomas – 6
It was a quiet 40 minutes on the turf for Gareth Thomas. The Ospreys loosehead helped his team win the two scrums they had on their own feed but was not directly involved in their two first-half. The 32-year-old’s best efforts were in defence as he completed nine tackles.

2. Dewi Lake – 7
A really strong 40 minutes on the Allianz Stadium turf for Gloucester Rugby-bound Dewi Lake. The hooker was one of several Wales players who, when entrusted with possession, made great strides to take his team forward. Lacked a little bit of cutting edge at times, case in point being his misplaced pass to Aaron Wainwright after a lung-busting line break. If it landed in the back-row’s hand, it was a certain try.

3. Dillon Lewis – 5
Much like his propping compatriot Thomas, Dillon Lewis was not a major feature in this fixture for Wales. That is not to say that the Dragons tighthead did anything wrong though. During his time on the pitch Wales won their two scrums.

4. Ben Carter – 8
On a day that was not built for the forwards, Ben Carter shone for Wales against the Barbarians. The 25-year-old Dragons second row went tackle for tackle with Jac Morgan across the 80 minutes and, when the full-time whistle blew, had put the shoulder in 21 times. A fairly faultless afternoon in West London.

5. Teddy Williams – 5
One of the more businesslike performances from a second row that you will see. Teddy Williams got 57 minutes under his belt before being replaced by Ryan Woodman. There is nothing too flash to speak of; 10 tackles,  six carries and one lineout won.

6. Taine Plumtree – 4.5
Taine Plumtree’s efforts can simply be described as quiet. The usually combative and dynamic back-row only made six carries and completed nine tackles. Better afternoons on the pitch will surely come for the 26-year-old, just not today.

7. Jac Morgan – 7
The kind of outing for Jac Morgan that we have all become accustomed to. The flanker was everywhere on the pitch and completed 21 tackles for his team. That sort of tally is ordinary for Morgan, who also made 10 carries for 23 metres. Perhaps the only drawback was his three tackles missed, which allowed the Barbarians to make several surges into Welsh territory.

8. Aaron Wainwright – 7
Wales’ top carrier during his time on the pitch, Aaron Wainwright quietly underlined why his inclusion in the back-row is key for Steve Tandy. A durable, hardworking No.8, Wainwright consistently finds himself in the right places in both defence and attack. So much so that he should have scored a try if Dewi Lake’s pass had been on the money.

Replacements – 6.5
Upon their introduction to the fray each of Wales’ substitutes helped Wales breakdown a stubborn Barbarians team. Replacement scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams scored a try, Mason Grady bagged himself an assist and Sam Costelow converted two scores. In the pack Ryan Elias helped Wales maintain a perfect lineout, while Rhys Barratt and Ben Warren did the same at the scrum.