Wales newcomers aiming to catch Tandy's eye

Freddie Thomas started at lock when Wales ended an 18-Test losing streak in Japan

Freddie Thomas and Josh Hathaway may be plying their trade in England but are hoping they can still catch the eye of the new Wales head coach.

The Gloucester pair are far from alone at a Kingsholm that now boasts four Wales internationals as well as another two among the coaching staff.

Alongside Tomos Williams and Max Llewellyn and working under Rhys Thomas and Gareth Delve, they are certainly in a good place to develop their international ambitions.

But having broken into the Wales frame, both players known they have work to do to impress Steve Tandy.

Thomas says he has set about bulking up with the aim of staking a claim to a second-row spot while Hathaway has worked on his defence.

At 23, Thomas has already become a key figure at Gloucester and was rewarded with a new contract at the start of the year.

He started in 19 of his 21 appearances for the Cherry and Whites last season, made his Test debut against South Africa, played twice in the Six Nations before touring Japan in the summer.

"I was only at Hartpury two years ago, so I've come quite a long way," said Thomas, who was playing in the English Championship at the start of 2024.

"The coaches at Gloucester have been really good, they have backed me, believed in me and pushed me forward.

"It has been the same with the Wales staff, who instilled belief and made me believe that I was good enough for international level. That helped me to push on."

Thomas started in the second Test in Japan, that ended Wales' record 18-game losing run, and now wants a shot at the same opponents again, as well as Argentina and New Zealand in November.

Thomas, along with clubmates Tomos Williams and centre Max Llewellyn, will not be available to face South Africa which is outside the Autumn Test window.

He said: "I am just focusing on Gloucester and trying to put performances in, then hopefully I can get in the door to build on that win out in Japan. It should be a good autumn."

Thomas wore the number six on his back in the opening game of the season at Sale but the 6ft 5ins, 120kg forward is putting on size and wants a subtle change of job title.

"I see myself as a second-row who can play in the back-row, while growing up I was always a back-row first," he said.

"I want to make sure I have a position because I don't want to be stuck as an option who can easily be in the 20 shirt.

"I try to play as a back-row would while in the second-row. I want to be a good line-out operator and strong in the set-piece but try to have moments off the ball in defence and attack, running around, being mobile and like an extra back-rower."

Hathaway knows club comes before caps

Josh Hathaway made his Wales debut in Australia in 2024

Hathaway missed out on the 23 for the opener but is keen to show the form that earned a surprise call by Warren Gatland for the 2024 summer tour to Australia.

The 21-year-old from Aberystwyth has flitted in and out of the Wales squad and seen other back-three players such as Blair Murray, Ellis Mee and Tom Rogers overtake him in the pecking order. So securing a regular Gloucester spot is a priority.

"I never thought I would get called up by Wales but it was always a dream and since getting my first cap it has given me a want to get more.

"I want to get a starting shirt here [at Gloucester] and with the signings of Ben Loader, Rob Russell and Ben Redshaw there is plenty of competition before I even think of more caps.

"I want to keep progressing game on game, month on month, year on year.

"My speed and footwork has been what I have had coming through but I'm looking to progress my game defensively, both at 15 and on the wing."