Wales should end Ioan Lloyd’s international exile by taking him on tour to South Africa this summer. So believes former Ospreys and Wales centre James Hook, who reckons the 20-year-old has the creative qualities to benefit Wayne Pivac’s side.
The gifted Lloyd hasn’t featured at Test level since playing in a couple of pre-Christmas Tests in 2020. His defence was called into question then, but he has worked at that part of his game and offers much in attack.
And Hook reckons that Pivac could do worse than have another look at a player who comes up with special moments and has previously been backed to win 50 caps.
“I’d take him to South Africa,” Hook told WalesOnline. “Nobody’s going to give Wales a chance out there, and Wayne could do with having a look at a few more players ahead of World Cup year, so why not give someone like Ioan Lloyd an opportunity? He’s a young boy with a lot to offer and he can play in a number of different positions.
“Dan Biggar’s going to be Wales’ No. 10 through to the World Cup, but we need extra creativity in our backline, whether it comes from Ioan Lloyd, Willis Halaholo or wherever. I watched Halaholo against Glagsow and he was excellent, a week after things didn’t go so well against Italy. It’s been a similar story for others and I just think it would be good for Wales to have another look at this youngster.”
A lack of invention blighted Pivac’s team during the Six Nations, with only Italy scoring fewer tries. A back didn’t touch down in the games with Ireland, Scotland and France and the only Welsh wing who managed to cross the opposition line throughout the tournament was Josh Adams.
Pivac had a close-quarters opportunity to watch utility back Lloyd when the Cardiff–born player featured at inside centre for Bristol against the Scarlets in January. In a startling cameo before leaving the field injured on 32 minutes, Lloyd sliced open the home defence to set up a try for Semi Radradra before crossing himself.
As the former Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf pupil prematurely departed, Pivac applauded from the stand (here's more on that episode). But when the New Zealander named his 2022 Six Nations squad, there was no place for Lloyd.
Whatever happens, Hook believes that over the rest of the year Wales’ coach will have to start settling down his squad in readiness for the World Cup.
“I understand there are probably a few things Wayne may still want to look at,” he added. “But at some point Wales are going to have to start developing some consistency in selection. One thing with Warren Gatland is that we knew what was coming in terms of selection. The centres would be Jamie Roberts and Jon Davies, Mike Phillips would be the scrum-half, Leigh Halfpenny the full-back — he chose players he liked and he stuck with them.
“Wayne obviously needs to assess people and, as I’ve said, I’d definitely be tempted to look at Ioan Lloyd — it would be worth taking him to see if he’s progressed from when he last played for Wales. Who knows? Maybe Wales could unearth a gem or two out there. But there’ll also come a point, at some point this year, when the selectors have to start settling things down.”
