Steve Tandy, the Ospreys openside flanker, is one of the few uncapped players in the star studded Ospreys team that includes the likes of Welsh rugby super stars James Hook, Ryan Jones, Shane Williams and Gavin Henson. And it is easy to see why when you look at the talent of Martyn Williams, one of the best flankers in the world, strutting his stuff for Wales.
But after Martyn Williams there is a lack of truly talented options available to the Welsh selectors, and that has to be a huge worry to Warren Gatland, the Welsh rugby coach. Martyn Williams retired after the 2007 World Cup in France and it took all of Warren Gatlands persuasive talents to coax him back into international rugby.
And it was needed. Robin Snowden-Taylor, team mate of Martyn Williams at the Cardiff Blues, was considered next in line and a good prospect. But he has not pushed on form or talent wise as many fans of the game in Wales would have hoped.
Other than that there is Colin Charvis, who is 36 now and has lost the pace needed to compete at the fast moving openside position in the international game, despite his impressive regional rugby performances for the Newport Gwent Dragons.
Gavin Thomas of the Llanelli Scarlets has won a number of caps, but is injured and considered by most observors to not really have the talented needed.
There are a couple of talented youngsters coming through, Ben Lewis and Sam Warburton. but both are injured and so are not getting the game time or experience needed to truely earn a Welsh rugby squad place.
Which for me leaves Steve Tandy. Whilst he gives away too many penalties to be considered a first choice international flaker he has never let teh ospreys down. His support work is good and his rucking is top class, both areas are vital to the way that Wales play international rugby.
So whilst I think that Steve Tandy shouldn't be starting for Wales, I do think that he is currently the best option we have as a back up flanker. My advice to Warren gatland would be to bring him into the Six nations squad.
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