Rhys Carre's Best Role for Wales is an Impact Player This Autumn

As Wales count down the hours for another testing Autumn campaign, one of the many intriguing dilemmas heading into the Quilter Nations Series is how best to utilise returning Rhys Carre.

For Steve Tandy, this will cause some selection headaches ahead of naming his side to face Argentina on Friday, prior to their meeting at Principality Stadium on Sunday. The 27-year-old has been in fine form for the Saracens in the Gallagher Prem, with his carrying ability unmatched by other looseheads in the current Welsh squad.

Carre has not played for Wales since 2023 and has been ineligible due to the Welsh Rugby Union’s farcical selection policy. He has represented his country on 20 occasions, five short of the number of caps that would allow him to play for clubs outside of Wales.

The looshead isn’t the only Welsh player in recent times to make a miraculous return to the international stage, as this was demonstrated when interim head coach Matt Sherratt, during the Six Nations, brought into the squad Harlequins’ Jarrod Evans, who has 11 caps.

However, this was revealed to be because he was not offered a reasonable offer to play for a region in Wales. It appears to be the same case for Carre, who left Cardiff Rugby for the StoneX Stadium side again in 2024.

Another reason could be that Carre would have become available for the other home nations in 2026, given his grandfather's hailing from the Channel Islands, as well as his absence from international rugby, which was nearing three years.

But throwing him straight back into it may not be the best option for head coach Tandy. Former Wales boss Warren Gatland infamously removed Carre from a Rugby World Cup training squad due to fitness concerns.

“For me, Rhys is playing well and we can’t overlook the fact he’s playing for one of the top clubs in Europe and having a massive impact,” said Tandy after naming his squad at the Vale Resort in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Still, there’s a growing sense that Carre’s greatest value for Wales this Autumn may not lie in the starting XV, but more of a destructive weapon off the bench. Across longer stretches at Test level, there are several questions about him sustaining his vigorous intensity, particularly around set pieces and defensive exchanges.

That is no criticism, as the looshead is capable of punching holes through opposition defence, which we have seen in recent outings with Saracens. However, the modern-day tactical utilisation of a 23-man game has never been greater, and Carre has the characteristics of being a perfect finisher.

A player who can arrive on 50-55 minutes and shift the momentum. With Leicester Tigers’ Nicky Smith more than likely handed the one jersey against Los Pumas, due to being dependable, and Wales’ best scrumager.

He can anchor the early exchanges against a big Argentinian pack, with Carre then well placed to impact the latter stages of the contest. It is a balanced approach.

Wales’ most significant let-downs in recent times have been a lack of big ball carriers, and Carre has the best go-forward of any player in the front row. For the loosehead to thrive this Autumn, if he embraces this tactical approach, which Tandy may use, then he could be Wales’ difference maker this Autumn or for the three games he’s available for Wales.