Can Wales settle on Scarlets midfield partnership?

After struggling to settle in midfield, Wales believe they are onto a good thing with the Scarlets combination of Joe Hawkins and Eddie James.

The duo are likely to join forces for the third time when Steve Tandy's men attempt to cause a huge Six Nations upset against Ireland in Dublin on Friday (20:10 GMT).

Hawkins missed out to fellow playmaker Ben Thomas against England but came in to join strong-running James against both France and Scotland.

"There will be different combinations at different times because we have to develop people for the future," said attack coach Matt Sherratt, who also has promising Bath centre Louie Hennessey as an option.

"We have that second-receiver type of player in Joe, who is physically very good as well, and Eddie is a very big athlete who runs good lines off him."

The official Six Nations stats give James eight dominant contacts for the tournament so far, he is making 6.5 metres per carry and has racked up 61 post-contact metres, just one behind the rightly-lauded Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey.

The 23-year-old has taken his chance after an injury to Max Llewellyn, who started three games alongside Thomas in the 2025 Six Nations and lined up at 13 in the autumn.

James has operated at inside centre for most of his senior career but the return of Hawkins from Exeter saw the pair resume a partnership they formed with Wales Under-20s in 2021 and 2022.

After recovering from a back injury that meant he missed the first block of the season, James has made eight of his 12 starts at outside centre.

"I enjoy playing with Joe and we have a good relationship off the pitch as well," he said.

"The more games you play with any centre partner, the more you get more a feel for what they do and hopefully get better.

"He reads the game well and understands it. He can carry and also be a ball player while my strengths are my size and carrying ability.

"Starting at 13 has made me think about the game in different ways and it has added another string to my bow, getting the ball in space."

James' display against the Scots earned the praise of legendary former Scarlets, Wales and Lions outside centre Jonathan Davies.

"You talk about running your weight and he is a big man who can be destructive by just running hard," said Davies.

"He has great touches and an offloading game but what I liked against Scotland was that he was running angry and it felt he had an edge about him."

Hawkins and James are trying to establish themselves on the Test stage and go from facing Scotland's Lions partnership of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones to a stern challenge in Ireland.

Ulster's McCloskey, 33, has taken his opportunity alongside Garry Ringrose, with Lions Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw waiting in the wings after returning from suspension and injury.

"It's always exciting coming up against big names because you get to challenge yourself and see where you are at," said James.