Key Points
- Wales head coach Steve Tandy has named a 38‑player squad for the 2026 Guinness Six Nations, his first Six Nations selection since taking charge of the national team.
- Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake has been appointed captain of an 877‑cap squad with an average age of 26.5 years, signalling a blend of experience and youth.
- There is strong Cardiff Rugby representation, with forwards Keiron Assiratti, Liam Belcher, James Botham and Alex Mann all selected in the pack.
- Cardiff’s backs Josh Adams, Mason Grady and Ben Thomas have also been included, underlining the capital club’s continued contribution at Test level.
- Two uncapped players, Leicester Tigers wing Gabriel Hamer‑Webb and Bath Rugby centre Louie Hennessey, have received first Six Nations call‑ups.
- As outlined by Wales Rugby/regions’ communications and confirmed by several outlets, Hamer‑Webb and Hennessey are the only uncapped players among 20 forwards and 18 backs.
- Former Cardiff players Rhys Carre, Tomos Williams, Jarrod Evans, Louie Hennessey and Gabriel Hamer‑Webb add to the Cardiff connection within the national set‑up.1
- Veteran prop Tomas Francis has been recalled for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter‑final defeat to Argentina in Marseille.
- According to Steffan Thomas of BBC Sport Wales, back‑rower James Botham returns, while Eddie James, Josh Macleod, Mason Grady, Sam Costelow and Owen Watkin are also back in the squad after previous absences.
- As reported by ITV Wales News, Lake’s captaincy and the inclusion of the uncapped duo headline a group picked amid ongoing uncertainty around the domestic game and player contracts.
- In official comments released by the Welsh Rugby Union via regional outlets, Steve Tandy highlighted “a few changes” from the autumn squad, citing injuries and heightened competition as key selection factors.
- Tandy stressed that having “so many players in the mix” was a “real positive” for Welsh rugby and that he believes Wales have “a good blend” within the squad for the 2026 campaign.
- The head coach said he is “excited to get back into camp” and wants to build on “foundations” laid during the autumn Tests, focusing on continued growth throughout the Championship.
- Wales will open their Six Nations away to England at Twickenham before back‑to‑back home fixtures in Cardiff against France and Scotland, finishing against Italy in Cardiff on Super Saturday.
- Coverage from Reuters and RTÉ Sport underlined notable omissions, including flanker Tommy Reffell and wing Rio Dyer, as Tandy opted for other back‑row and back‑three options.
- Regional outlets such as Ospreys Rugby, Scarlets and Dragons RFC highlighted strong representation from all four Welsh professional sides, with seven Ospreys and nine Scarlets named.
- The selection underscores an ongoing transition phase for Wales following the 2023 World Cup, balancing established internationals with emerging names from the United Rugby Championship and English Premiership.
- Cardiff supporters will have particular interest as both current and former Blue & Blacks look to make a major impact on the international stage in Tandy’s first Six Nations campaign.
Cardiff, Wales Times (Wales Times) January 20, 2026 – Wales head coach Steve Tandy has unveiled a 38‑player squad for the 2026 Guinness Six Nations that features strong sports/cardiff-rugby/">Cardiff Rugby representation, anoints Dewi Lake as captain and ushers in a new era with two uncapped backs in Gabriel Hamer‑Webb and Louie Hennessey.
How significant is Cardiff Rugby’s presence in Tandy’s first squad?
Cardiff’s imprint on the squad is substantial, reflecting both current form and the long‑term role the club has played in supplying Welsh internationals. In the forwards, Keiron Assiratti, Liam Belcher, James Botham and Alex Mann have all been rewarded for their performances in Blue and Black, forming a sizeable Cardiff contingent in the pack.
In the backline, Josh Adams, Mason Grady and Ben Thomas are the capital region’s standard‑bearers, giving Tandy a blend of proven Test pedigree and developing talent drawn from the Arms Park. There is further Cardiff connection through former players Rhys Carre, Tomos Williams, Jarrod Evans, Louie Hennessey and Gabriel Hamer‑Webb, whose past association with the club underlines its enduring influence on the national side.
Cardiff’s presence is particularly pronounced in key areas of the field, including the front row, back row and midfield‑back‑three combinations, which are often decisive in the Six Nations. For supporters in the capital, this means a large share of the squad either currently wears or has previously worn Cardiff colours, providing a strong sense of local investment in the national campaign.
Who are the uncapped players and what do they bring?
As detailed by Ultimate Rugby and reiterated by Ospreys Rugby and Scarlets communications, Tandy has selected two uncapped players: Leicester Tigers wing Gabriel Hamer‑Webb and Bath centre Louie Hennessey. Their inclusion follows strong club form in the English Premiership and reflects Wales’ intent to refresh its backline options ahead of the 2026 Championship.
According to BBC Sport Wales, Hamer‑Webb, 25, made the move from Cardiff to Leicester at the beginning of the 2025‑26 season, enhancing his profile with consistent performances in a highly competitive league. Hennessey, meanwhile, has been part of previous Wales squads without earning a cap, including involvement in the autumn series, and now has the chance to step up at Test level for the first time.
By introducing an uncapped wing and centre, Tandy is broadening his options in wide channels and midfield, two areas where Wales have sought greater dynamism and depth since the last World Cup. The pair join a backs unit that already includes experienced Test performers and returning faces, placing them in a competitive environment from the outset.
What did Steve Tandy say about competition, balance and building on the autumn?
In comments issued via the Welsh Rugby Union and carried by regional outlets, Steve Tandy emphasised that his first Six Nations squad reflects both enforced and strategic changes from the autumn group. As reported by communications on the Scarlets’ official website, Tandy said:
“There are a few changes to the squad from the autumn, some due to injury but others are a sign of the competition there is and how many players we have in the mix which is a real positive.”
Tandy stressed that he believes Wales “have a good blend again within the squad moving into this campaign and can’t wait for us to assemble next week,” underscoring his confidence in the mix of seasoned internationals and emerging players. The head coach also spoke of “real competition” for places, a theme picked up by multiple outlets, noting that the depth now available to him across the park is encouraging for Welsh rugby.
As carried in regional content summarising the WRU release, Tandy expressed that he is “excited to get back into camp” and eager to build on the “foundations” laid during the autumn. He framed the Six Nations as an opportunity for the group to continue to grow and develop, with an emphasis on maintaining upward momentum after the transitional period following the 2023 World Cup.
How is the squad structured and who are the notable returnees and omissions?
The 38‑man selection is split between 20 forwards and 18 backs, with an average age of 26.5 and a combined total of 877 caps, pointing to a side that is relatively youthful but far from inexperienced. In the forwards, as listed by outlets such as RTÉ Sport and Reuters, the group includes Keiron Assiratti, Adam Beard, Liam Belcher, James Botham, Rhys Carre, Ben Carter, Olly Cracknell, Harri Deaves, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Archie Griffin, Dafydd Jenkins, Dewi Lake, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Taine Plumtree, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Freddie Thomas and Aaron Wainwright.
In the backs, coverage from BBC Sport Wales and RTÉ indicates that Wales have selected Tomos Williams, Sam Costelow, Jarrod Evans, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady, Eddie James, Josh Adams, Gabriel Hamer‑Webb, Louie Hennessey and others, forming a backline with both creative playmakers and powerful runners. The inclusion of Costelow, Watkin, Grady and Macleod in particular highlights a willingness to recall players who have previously featured for Wales but were absent from recent squads.
One of the most eye‑catching returnees is prop Tomas Francis, who, according to BBC Sport Wales, has been selected for the first time since Wales’ 2023 World Cup quarter‑final defeat to Argentina. His experience in the front row is expected to be valuable in a campaign where set‑piece strength remains crucial.
At the same time, there are notable omissions. As reported by Reuters and echoed by other outlets, flanker Tommy Reffell and wing Rio Dyer are among those who miss out on the 2026 Six Nations squad. Their absence reflects the fierce competition in the back row and back three, areas where Tandy has prioritised a different balance of attributes and combinations for this particular campaign.
How does this squad reflect the state of Welsh rugby and what lies ahead in the 2026 Six Nations?
The composition of the squad – and the prominence of regional pillars such as Cardiff, Ospreys, Scarlets and Dragons – offers a snapshot of a Welsh game navigating financial and contractual uncertainty while seeking stability on the field. As ITV Wales noted, Tandy’s selection and Lake’s captaincy come at a time when questions remain over the domestic structure, yet the national side continues to draw heavily from the four professional sides and Welsh‑qualified players in England.
Regionally focused press releases highlighted that seven Ospreys and nine Scarlets have made the squad, numbers that, when combined with the sizeable Cardiff presence and representation from the Dragons, underline a broad national spread. This distribution suggests that, despite off‑field challenges, the talent pathways through the regions remain robust and continue to feed the Test set‑up.
Fixture‑wise, the task facing Tandy’s side is demanding. As set out in Six Nations previews carried by rugby outlets and agencies, Wales start away to England at Twickenham, a traditionally imposing venue. They then return to Cardiff for back‑to‑back home matches against France and Scotland, before concluding their campaign against Italy at home on Super Saturday, a finale that could be pivotal in determining their final position in the table.
