Wales boss Steve Tandy has named his first team for the Six Nations as Welsh rugby plunges into further uncertainty.
Tandy’s 38-man squad was announced as home action resumed less than three weeks before their Championship opener against England at the Allianz Stadium.
The Welsh Rugby Union has proposed scrapping one of the four men’s professional teams – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys or Scarlets – much to the consternation of fans across the country.
The WRU Board of Directors met on Monday and considered the Executive Management Team’s recommendation on the sale of Cardiff Rugby.
The two consortia submitted final bids and the VRU said it “hopes to finalize detailed negotiations with the preferred bidder and sign a binding agreement within a few weeks”.
Owners Ospreis I11 Sport & Media are understood to be the preferred bidder, allowing the two parties to effectively become one team.
There were 14 players from the Blues and Ospreys – seven from each team – with skipper Jack Morgan out after dislocating his shoulder in the autumn series opener against Argentina in early November.
Dewey Lake will captain Wales in the Six Nations, while Jack Morgan has been ruled out through injury
Veteran No.8 Taulupe Faletau also misses out with a calf injury, with Callum Sheedy, Nick Tompkins, Rio Dyer and Tommy Refel among the notable absentees.
Ospreys prop Dewey Lake has been named captain for the campaign, with Provence prop Thomas Francis making his first appearance since the 2023 World Cup.
Uncapped Leicester winger Gabriel Hammer-Webb and Bath center Louis Hennessy are included, while Eddie James, James Botham, Josh McLeod, Mason Grady, Ryan Elias, Sam Costelloe and Owen Watkin are recalled.
Tandy said: “There have been a few changes to the squad since 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 really positive.
“I think we have a good mix of squads again heading into this campaign and I can’t wait to get together next week.”
Wales Six Nations 2026 squad
Forwards: Keiron Asirati (Cardiff), Adam Baird (Montpellier), Liam Belcher (Cardiff), James Botham (Cardiff), Rhys Carey (Saracens), Ben Carter (Dragons), Ollie Cracknell (Leicester), Harry Deaves (Ospreys), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Thomas Archibald (Scarlets), Thomas Francis (Scarlets), Thomas Francis (Jeff Pro) (Exeter), Dewey Lake (Ospreys, captain), Alex Mann (Cardiff), Josh McLeod (Scarlets), Thane Plumtree (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Leicester), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Freddie Thomas (Gloucester), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).
backs: Josh Adams (Cardiff), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Jarrod Evans (Harlequins), Mason Grady (Cardiff), Kieran Hardy (Ospreys), Gabriel Hammer-Webb (Leicester), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets), Louis Handy James (ELS), Eddie James (Bath), (Scarlets), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears), Tom Rodgers (Scarlets), Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Tomos Williams (Gloucester).
Jones, Lydiat and Patchell return for the Six Nations
Steve Tandy has strengthened his squad ahead of the Six Nations by securing the services of former Wales internationals Duncan Jones, Dan Lydiatt and Rhys Patchell.
All three were part of Wales’ coaching squad during last year’s autumn internationals and return for the Six Nations on an interim basis.
Two-time Grand Slam winner Jones will work as scrum coach, Lydiat will focus on defence, while Patchell will join as skills coach with a focus on shooting.
Tandy said: “It’s great that Duncan, Dan and Rhys will be joining us again for the Guinness Six Nations and I thank the Ospreys and Dragons for giving them this opportunity for the second time. We’re all excited to get into camp next week and build on the foundations we laid in the autumn.”
Six Nations fixture: Wales
- February 7: England (a)
- February 15: France (h)
- February 21: Scotland (h)
- March 6: Ireland (a)
- March 14: Italy (h)