Steve Tandy Names 38-Man Squad: Notable Absentees Revealed
- Steve Tandy names his first Six Nations squad as Wales look to avoid third consecutive Wooden Spoon
- new head coach Steve Tandy has selected his first Wales Six nations squad which includes a recall for prop Tomas Francis.
- The beleaguered national side as registered two consecutive Wooden Spoons and a slip to 11th in the world rankings meaning the men in red head into the championship...
Steve Tandy names his first Six Nations squad as Wales look to avoid third consecutive Wooden Spoon
new head coach Steve Tandy has selected his first Wales Six nations squad which includes a recall for prop Tomas Francis.
The beleaguered national side as registered two consecutive Wooden Spoons and a slip to 11th in the world rankings meaning the men in red head into the championship at a low ebb – even though that infamous, record-breaking run of defeats was broken by victory over Japan.
It also takes place under the backdrop of uncertainty that surrounds Welsh regional rugby as the WRU looks to disband a region.
Tandy will be hoping that his inaugural upcoming Six Nations as Wales head coach will see an uptick in fortunes as he names the 38-man squad for next month’s competition.
Of the 38, 11 are based in England and 2 are currently in France. Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake will captain the absence of injured Jac Morgan.
uncapped duo Leicester winger Gabriel Hamer-Webb and Bath center Louie Hennessey are in the mix alongside returning players such as Sam Costelow and James Botham. There is no room for Tommy Reffell, Nick Tompkins or Rio Dyer.
Wales Six Nations squad 2026: Tandy’s 38 man squad
Table of Contents
Forwards (20): Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Adam Beard (Montpellier), Liam Belcher (Cardiff), James Botham (Cardiff), Rhys Carre (Saracens), Ben Carter (Dragons), Olly Cracknell (Leicester), Harri deaves (Ospreys), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Provence), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter), Dewi Lake (Ospreys, capt), Alex Mann (Cardiff), Josh Macleod (Scarlets), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Leicester), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Freddie thomas (Gloucester), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).
Backs (18): Josh Adams (Cardiff), sam Costelow (Scarlets), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Jarrod Evans (Harlequins), Mason Grady (Cardiff), Kieran Hardy (Ospreys), Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Leicester), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets), Louie Hennessey (Bath), Eddie James (Scarlets), Ellis Mee (Scarlets), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys), Blair Murray (Scarlets), louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Tomos Williams (Gloucester).
Wales suffered a heavy defeat to England in Cardiff, falling 68-14 in Round 5 of the Six Nations Championship on January 25, 2026. The loss followed a narrow 35-29 defeat to Scotland in Edinburgh the previous week.
Round 5: v England (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
Result: Wales 14-68 England
Starting XV:
15.Blair Murray
14. Ellis Mee
13. Max Llewellyn
12. Ben Thomas
11. Joe Roberts
10. Gareth Anscombe
9. Tomos Williams
1.Nicky Smith
2. Elliot Dee
3. willgriff John
4. Will Rowlands
5. Dafydd jenkins
6. Aaron Wainwright
7. Jac Morgan (captain)
8. Taulupe faletau
Replacements:
16. Dewi Lake
17.Gareth Thomas
18. Keiron Assiratti
19. teddy Williams
20. Jarrod Evans
21. Rhodri Williams
22.
23.
Round 4: v Scotland (Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
Result: Scotland 35-29 Wales
Starting XV:
15. Blair Murray
14. Tom Rogers
13. Max Llewellyn
12.Ben Thomas
11. Ellis Mee
10. Gareth Anscombe
9. Tomos Williams
1. Nicky Smith
2. Elliot Dee
3. WillGriff John
4. Will Rowlands
5. Dafydd Jenkins
6. Jac Morgan (captain)
7. Tommy Reffell
8.Taulupe Faletau
Replacements:
16. Evan Lloyd
17. Gareth Thomas
18. Henry Thomas
19. Teddy Williams
20. Aaron Wainwright
21. Rhodri Williams
22. Jarrod Evans
23. Joe Roberts