At just 25 years old, Ben Carter has quickly become one of Wales’ most dependable players, whose work rate and sheer physicality have become central to his national side’s progress.
He’s provided a level of physicality for Steve Tandy’s side on a consistent basis, and the instrumental second row will be key for Wales this summer.
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Alongside Exeter’s Dafydd Jenkins in the Six Nations, there seemed to be a formidable pairing forming, but that won’t be able to flourish this summer.
Jenkins, who, alongside Carter, has been incredibly instrumental to Wales in recent years, has played a huge part in the national side’s resurgence.
But it was revealed in Tandy’s 33-man squad for the summer Tests against Fiji, Argentina, and South Africa that the 23-year-old will be sidelined due to a shoulder injury. “Yeah (it’s a shame), I enjoyed playing with Daf in the Six Nations,” said Carter.
“He’ll be a loss, won’t he? He’s got to get his body right, and I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”
Now, with Jenkins out, who’s going to be in the second row alongside Carter this summer? Montpellier’s Adam Beard would be the obvious answer, as he is one of the most experienced players in Tandy’s squad with 65 caps.
However, the 30-year-old competed in the Top 14 final last weekend and fell down the pecking order due to Carter’s impressive form. That leaves Cardiff’s Teddy Williams as Wales’ only other out-and-out second row in Tandy’s squad.
Williams made his return to rugby last weekend against the Barbarians at Twickenham, but with limited game time, will it be to his detriment? “Look, there’s a lot of depth at second row,” continued Carter, who will undoubtedly be essential for Wales in July.
“There’s still a lot of quality in there, so I will be fighting very hard to try and earn my place.
“I was grateful to get the chance to start against the Barbarians. I enjoyed my involvements that I had in the Six Nations.
“So if I can build on that, that would be brilliant.”
Carter on Defence
The Dragons co-captain also claimed an award for being the United Rugby Championship’s top tackler. Defence is an obvious area of pride for Carter, and he talked openly about the influence that Peter Murchie has had on Wales’ defence so far.
“Building and adding detail to some of our fundamentals that we had in the Six Nations,” Carter said on Murchie’s impact so far.
“Bringing that accountability and things. (He’s) just adding layers of detail- that’s what I found so far.
“It doesn’t feel like a massive change; it’s not like we are starting again. It’s very much just building.
“Probably three fundamental principles (in defence), which is quite good for keeping sort of clarity in your mind, in a Test match when the pressure is there, and there’s fatigue.
“You can just go back to three fundamentals. They’re still there; it’s just about building the detail and knowledge around that with Murch coming in.
On the three fundamentals in defence, Carter added: “The big things we talk about between each other are staying square and watching the ball.”
Positive Season with Dragons
Carter, one of Welsh rugby’s top defenders, comes into the Nations Championship off the back of an impressive season with the Dragons.
During that season, he played his part in getting the Dragons to a European Challenge Cup semi-final against eventual winners Montpellier, and also saw off both Stade Francais and Zebre Parma in the knockout stages.
Carter highlighted the positives of a remarkable club season heading into this summer’s assignments with Wales. “That European Cup run was positive; morale was high from that sort of aspect,” continued Carter.
“It’s nice coming in with other Dragons boys as well (after that season).
Facing Fiji First
Wales face Fiji at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday to begin their summer campaign before then travelling 12,000 miles to face both Argentina and South Africa in the southern hemisphere.
“They’ll be a very physical side,” added Carter, who will play against Fiji for the very first time.
“We’re aware of their offload threat, and things like that. Similar things to what we faced against the Baa-Baas.
“We have to focus on ourselves. We are definitely looking at things we can improve from previous games, but that offload threat is one of the main things we have been looking at.”
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