Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland has urged Dragons RFC lock Matthew Screech to ‘put a statement’ when he lines up against world champions South Africa on Saturday (kick-off 2pm).
Screech will win his second cap when Wales play at Twickenham Stadium in the Qatar Airways Cup clash.
The 31-year-old – who won his first cap against Argentina off the bench in 2021 – lines up alongside club team-mate Ben Carter in the second row. Team-mates Aaron Wainwright and Rio Dyer also start.
And Gatland has been full of praise for the manner Screech has approached his latest call-up and chance to impress.
“He’s been great. He looks physically in good shape and he’s done a good job in the set-piece,” said Gatland.
“They (locks) know how physical the game is going to be and that’s a big part of their role on the weekend. If they do that and focus on their set-piece that’s all I can ask for.
“Matthew has come into us on a couple of occasions and impressed. If I was him, I’d go out there and look to put a statement.
"31 is not old for a tight forward. I look at that as a good age. Players around that age need to think I’m still young and fit enough to be around at the next World Cup.
"I just see it as a great opportunity for other players to step up and put their hands up,” added Gatland, on the number of second rows missing the game.
“There’s an opportunity for others to get given a chance. They get a first opportunity to put a marker down for the first game and the rest of the tour.”
Matthew has come into us on a couple of occasions and impressed. If I was him, I’d go out there and look to put a statement...
