Ex-England U20 star among two uncapped players in 33-man Wales squad

Steve Tandy has confirmed his 33-man Wales squad for the opening block of Nations Championship fixtures, with Exeter Chiefs back-row Kane James and Ospreys tighthead Ben Warren the only uncapped players included.

Haverfordwest-born James, who represented England U20 before switching allegiance to Wales, is rewarded after impressing in his first full season with Exeter, while Warren earns his first senior call-up after breaking into the Ospreys front-row.

Dewi Lake will captain the squad as Wales prepare to launch their campaign against Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, before travelling to face Argentina in San Juan and world champions South Africa in Durban.

There is one notable absentee, with Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins ruled out after suffering a shoulder injury in the Gallagher PREM final that will require surgery.

Tandy said the squad has been selected with an eye on the 2027 World Cup, with increased competition for places central to Wales’ plans ahead of a demanding new international competition.

Fixture

Nations Championship

Fiji

06:10

4 Jul 26

Wales

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“We have selected a squad of 33 players for the Nations Championship to mirror what will be required for the World Cup in 2027,” Tandy said. “We are building a lot of competition among our group of players, which is what we want to have, and there were some tough calls to make.

“We have an exciting opportunity over the next three weeks in a brand-new competition and can’t wait to get our campaign started against Fiji on Saturday.

“As I’ve mentioned before, the priorities for us this summer are to keep growing and developing the players. We want to continue building and to be more consistent in our performances across all three games.”

Wales squad
Forwards: Adam Beard (Montpellier, 65 caps), James Botham (Cardiff Rugby, 21), Rhys Carre (Saracens, 28), Ben Carter (Dragons, 19), Ryan Elias (Scarlets, 48), Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped), Dewi Lake (Ospreys, 31, captain), Dillon Lewis (Dragons, 57), Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby, 8), Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby, 16), Jac Morgan (Ospreys, 24), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets, 14), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers, 29), Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers, 63), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys, 44), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons, 67), Sam Wainwright (Cardiff Rugby, 4), Ben Warren (Ospreys, uncapped), Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby, 8)

Backs: Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, 70 caps), Sam Costelow (Scarlets, 20), Dan Edwards (Ospreys, 11), Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby, 17), Kieran Hardy (Ospreys, 31), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets, 11), Eddie James (Scarlets, 9), Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby, 11), Ellis Mee (Scarlets, 8), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys, 2), Blair Murray (Scarlets, 16), Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears, 40), Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby, 18), Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby, 72)