The Welsh Hooker Preparing to Play Against Wales
Wales hooker Elliot Dee made his international debut in November 2017.
While George North has attracted most of the attention this week, another Welsh international will start for the Barbarians against Wales on Saturday.
Hooker Elliot Dee will feature in the Baa-Baas line-up for the uncapped match at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, while North will conclude his distinguished professional career by coming off the replacements bench.
The two Welsh players are sharing accommodation in London as they prepare to face the nation they have represented for over a decade.
"I'm looking forward to it," said Dee.
"It's going to be interesting, something I've never done before.
We've played the Welsh club derbies but I have not played against so many close mates who are representing Wales."
Dragons forward Dee added:
"It's going to be a special day. I'm looking forward to having my family there with my fiancée and my two boys.
I don't know what it's going to be like when the anthem plays but I will definitely sing but I'm unsure what emotions that is going to bring."
Wales Ambitions Still Burn Bright for Dee
While North retired from international rugby in 2024 and will retire from all rugby this weekend, Dee intends to continue playing and aims to regain his place in the Wales squad.
The 32-year-old has earned 55 caps, participated in two World Cups, and was part of Wales' 2019 Grand Slam-winning team.
His most recent appearance for Wales was the 68-14 Six Nations home defeat by England in March 2025.
Dee missed more than half of the 2025-26 season due to injury but returned for the final three months of the campaign.
He was not included in Steve Tandy's summer squad, which features captain Dewi Lake, Scarlets' Ryan Elias, and Cardiff duo Liam Belcher and Evan Lloyd as the four selected hookers.
This weekend offers an ideal opportunity for Dee to demonstrate his credentials to Tandy. Whether this is an end-of-season game or a chance to show Wales his ongoing capabilities remains to be seen.
"That is a good question," said Dee.
"I love playing for Wales, playing international rugby, nothing can replace that sort of buzz.
Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to play as much as I've wanted to in the last year.
It's something you'd be mad to turn down if you had the opportunity.
The ambition is certainly still there. I'm very proud to play for Wales."
Fulfilling a Lifetime Ambition
Dee's omission from the Wales squad enabled him to accept a late invitation to join the Barbarians, and he was part of the squad that lost 80-31 to South Africa in Cape Town last weekend.
"It was an unbelievable and surreal moment getting the call up," said Dee.
"I was letting my partner have a lie-in and I was downstairs with the kids.
I had the call come through on the Sunday morning saying, can you be on a flight to South Africa on Sunday afternoon.
Without hesitation I said yes and then I had to go and bring the news!
She was amazing and was over the moon. It's been like a lifelong ambition and just chuffed to bits to get the call."
Dee had been less than a month into his offseason following the end of the season but said he had maintained his fitness.
"I'm not the most gifted athlete so I need to keep my body ticking over so I've done a little bit on the side," said Dee.
"But it is nothing like being thrown in against the world champions after a week with the Barbarians.
I'm sure everyone knows what the off-field stuff is all about."
Embracing New Experiences
Dee has embraced the new experience and believes the Barbarians can remain relevant in the professional era.
"It's probably the most fun I've ever had on the field and it has been a class trip," said Dee.
"I think the game needs this. It can almost be too serious at times now. There's so much pressure and so much at stake all the time.
Sometimes that can take the enjoyment away. There's nothing like this. This has been an amazing experience with a great bunch of men.
To go from not knowing anyone 10 days ago, to be close mates on and off the field now, is something special."
Dee also believes the new-look Barbarians team can perform well on the field this weekend.
"I've been surprised by how quickly we've gelled together," he added.
"The pressure is released, you try things maybe you wouldn't try in a Test team.
For some reason in a Baa-baas jersey more often than not they seem to come off."
The fluid nature of the Barbarians has been highlighted this week by the arrival of South Africa double World Cup-winning scrum-half Faf de Klerk.
Seven days after being part of the Springboks squad that inflicted a heavy defeat on the Barbarians, de Klerk will captain the invitational side against Wales this weekend.
"He's been full of energy, he's come in raring to go," said Dee.
"He's a big character and is leading the group well and brought loads of excitement.
I'm sure he's going to try a few bits and bobs on the weekend to try and get the crowd going."
Lake to captain Wales in summer internationals
