Six Nations 2026: Hawkins' Wales Prepares for Scotland's Lions with a Strategic Line-Up
Hawkins, a key player for the Scarlets, made a triumphant return to Wales last year, showcasing his prowess in matches against New Zealand and South Africa during the autumn. His recent performance against France, where he outshone Cardiff's Ben Thomas, earned him a spot in the starting lineup, partnering with fly-half Dan Edwards and outside centre Eddie James for the first time on the international stage.
This dynamic trio, collectively boasting 23 caps, now faces a formidable challenge from Scotland's well-coordinated trio of Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu, and Huw Jones. Interestingly, Tuipulotu and Jones toured Australia with the British and Irish Lions last summer, sharing the field in the first Test, and have collectively participated in 186 international matches for Scotland.
The upcoming match against France promises a rigorous defensive test, as the French team has proven to be a formidable force with the ball in hand. Hawkins acknowledges the strength of the Scottish trio, particularly Tuipulotu's ball-carrying prowess and Jones' dynamic running skills, which complement each other seamlessly.
The Scarlets duo of Hawkins and James could potentially face off against the Glasgow combination of Tuipulotu and Jones, provided Hawkins and James can overcome the challenge posed by Cardiff's Thomas and the returning Ospreys centre Owen Watkin.
James, a 23-year-old, 6ft 3ins tall, showcased his potential with the ball in hand against France. Despite an injury during the off-season, James has demonstrated exceptional physicality in carries and defense since rejoining the Scarlets. Hawkins, who has also played alongside James for Wales Under-20s, emphasizes the importance of maximizing James' involvement in the game.
Wales, having conceded 15 tries and 102 points in the first two rounds, faces a defensive overhaul. However, Hawkins' playmaking abilities are crucial in transforming their attacking strategy. He emphasizes the team's commitment to exciting the nation with their style of play, drawing inspiration from the success of top teams worldwide, such as France, who consistently double down on their winning formula.
Despite recent disappointing results, Hawkins believes it's essential to stay true to their game plan. He encourages the team to keep pushing their style of play, stating, 'We talk a lot about being a team that can excite the nation. A lot of the best teams in the world believe in their style of game and wouldn't change. France double down on that and they are one of the best in the world. After a couple of disappointing results, it's not the time to go away from what is working, or going to work, for us moving forward. We just need to keep banging the drum.'
