The 'freak' now seemingly lost to Wales forever
Rhys Carre's departure from Welsh rugby was confirmed this week, with his exit a reminder of what could have been
The timing of Rhys Carre’s departure from Welsh rugby may or may not have been deliberate, but there was certainly something striking about it.
As Warren Gatland named his team to face France this Sunday, juggling forwards around to try and populate his pack with powerful carriers, the press release from CF10 was being readied for public consumption.
No sooner than half an hour after Gatland’s team was announced, was the departure of Carre back to Saracens again made official.
In the words of Jim Bowen, 'Here's what you could have won'. Or not, depending on who you ask.
What made the timing all the more notable was that it came days after one of Carre’s most eye-catching performances in a season largely full of them. A performance that reignited that debate in some quarters over his international exile.
Last Saturday, the loose-head powered through the Leinster defence not once, but twice - taking his try tally to seven this season and prompting some to once again question why he’s out of favour with Wales.
TV presenter Ross Harries tweeted that the prop was “making a mockery of his non-selection for Wales”, calling him “one of the most destructive ball carriers in Welsh rugby”.
Others, Cardiff fans in particular, were effusive in their praise for how he powered through to the Leinster line.
It was all, of course, tinged with a pang of regret that Carre was already lost to Welsh rugby. Out of favour with the national team, it had long been accepted that Carre would leave at the end of the season.
Days later, when the news became official, Gatland hardly sounded cut up by the fact that Carre was leaving Welsh rugby again. A question about whether he’d even been considered for the Six Nations was given very short shrift.
“No,” responded the Wales coach. There was never any danger of elaboration on that front.
Carre's departure is undoubtedly a blow for Cardiff and, given Harries' verdict on his destructive carrying is one many in Welsh rugby would hold, it'll be a shame that, with 20 caps to his name, Carre's Test career with Wales looks done. In fairness, Gatland’s short and sharp response is a reminder it was, in all honesty, probably ended last May.
As he re-joins Saracens, the prop will be captured by the 25-cap rule. However, with a grandfather hailing from Guernsey, there's a chance he could become available for one of the other home nations in 2026.
Munster had been interested in his signing, knowing he was Irish-qualified, while Scotland and England could certainly be tempted to consider him.
Given how big ball carriers have been an Achilles heel for Wales in recent times, it’s frustrating that the 26-year-old appears to now be English club rugby’s gain. Soon, he might even be another home nation’s gain.
As Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said this week, his move back to England hands him an “opportunity to fulfil his undoubted potential”.
That potential won’t be fulfilled in Wales, though. Ultimately, it’s a frustrating tale of wasted talent and missed opportunities.