Steve Tandy names his first Six Nations squad as Wales look to avoid third consecutive Wooden Spoon
The first Wales Six Nations squad selected by new head coach Steve Tandy faces a baptism of fire as they travel to Twickenham to take on an England side who thrashed them 68-14 last season.
The beleaguered national side has 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 victory over Japan brought their record-breaking run of defeats to an end.
The championship also takes place against the backdrop of the turmoil and uncertainty that surrounds Welsh regional rugby, as the WRU looks to disband a region.
Tandy will be hoping that his inaugural Six Nations at the Wales helm brings an uptick in fortunes.
Uncapped duo Leicester winger Gabriel Hamer-Webb and Bath centre Louie Hennessey are in the mix alongside returning players such as James Botham, Sam Costelow and Tomas Francis. Cardiff’s Sam Wainwright is a replacement for the injured Keiron Assiratti at prop, while Ospreys second row Rhys Davies is a late addition to Tandy’s original squad selection. There is no room for Tommy Reffell, Nick Tompkins or Rio Dyer.
Of the 39, 11 are based in England and 2 are currently in France. Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake will captain the absence of injured Jac Morgan.
Wales Six Nations squad 2026: Tandy’s 39-man squad
Forwards (21): Adam Beard (Montpellier), Liam Belcher (Cardiff), James Botham (Cardiff), Rhys Carre (Saracens), Ben Carter (Dragons), Olly Cracknell (Leicester), Rhys Davies (Ospreys), Harri Deaves (Ospreys), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Provence), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter), Dewi Lake (Ospreys, captain), Alex Mann (Cardiff), Josh Macleod (Scarlets), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Leicester), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Freddie Thomas (Gloucester), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Sam Wainwright (Cardiff).
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 Six Nations squad: 2026 fixtures at a glance
- Sat 7 February, England v Wales (kick-off 4.40pm GMT, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham) Live on ITV in the UK
- Sun 15 February, Wales v France (kick-off 3.10pm GMT, Principality Stadium, Cardiff) Live on the BBC in the UK
- Sat 21 February, Wales v Scotland (kick-off 4.40pm GMT, Principality Stadium, Cardiff) Live on the BBC in the UK
- Fri 6 March, Ireland v Wales (kick-off 8.10pm GMT, Aviva Stadium, Dublin) Live on ITV in the UK
- Sat 14 March, Wales v Italy (kick-off 4.40pm GMT, Principality Stadium, Cardiff) Live on the BBC in the UK
- Read more: Men’s Six Nations fixtures 2026
Wales Six Nations squad: Line-ups from every match in 2025
Round 1: v France (Stade de France, Paris)
Result: France 43-0 Wales
Starting XV:
15. Liam Williams
14. Tom Rogers
13. Nick Tompkins
12. Owen Watkin
11. Josh Adams
10. Ben Thomas
9. Tomos Williams
1. Gareth Thomas
2. Evan Lloyd
3. Henry Thomas
4. Will Rowlands
5. Dafydd Jenkins
6. James Botham
7. Jac Morgan (captain)
8. Aaron Wainwright
Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee
17. Nicky Smith
18. Keiron Assiratti
19. Freddie Thomas
20. Tommy Reffell
21. Rhodri Williams
22. Dan Edwards
23. Blair Murray
Round 2: v Italy (Stadio Olimpico, Rome)
Result: Italy 22-Wales 15
Starting XV:
15. Blair Murray
14. Tom Rogers
13. Nick Tompkins
12. Eddie James
11. Josh Adams
10. Ben Thomas
9. Tomos Williams
1. Gareth Thomas
2. Evan Lloyd
3. Henry Thomas
4. Will Rowlands
5. Freddie Thomas
6. James Botham
7. Jac Morgan (captain)
8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee
17. Nicky Smith
18. Keiron Assiratti
19. Teddy Williams
20. Aaron Wainwright
21. Rhodri Williams
22. Dan Edwards
23. Josh Hathaway
Round 3: v Ireland (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
Result: Wales 18-27 Ireland
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
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. Dewi Lake
17. Gareth Thomas
18. Keiron Assiratti
19. Teddy Williams
20. Aaron Wainwright
21. Rhodri Williams
22. Jarrod Evans
23. Joe Roberts
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. Tommy Reffell
21. Rhodri Williams
22. Jarrod Evans
23. Nick Tompkins
Download the digital edition of Rugby World straight to your tablet or subscribe to the print edition to get the magazine delivered to your door.