Wales announce Six Nations squad amid behind-the-scenes turmoil

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has named two uncapped players in his 38-man Wales squad for the Guinness Six Nations.

Leicester Tigers wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb, 25, and Bath Rugby centre Louie Hennessey, 21, have both been named in a squad that will be captained by Dewi Lake in Jac Morgan’s absence.

Tandy has also called up Sale Sharks-bound Tomas Francis for the first time since the 2023 World Cup, while there is no place in the squad for Gallagher PREM regulars Tommy Reffell and Nick Tompkins.

The squad has been named amid a backdrop of uncertainty which looms heavily over Welsh rugby currently, and less than 24 hours after the Welsh Rugby Union announced they have entered an “exclusivity period,” with Ospreys owners Y11 Sport & Media expected to buy Cardiff. The players could well head into the Championship with no clarity over the future of club rugby in the country.

Wales will get their campaign started with a trip to London, to take on rivals England at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on February 7.

Fixture

Six Nations

England

48 - 7

Full-time

Wales

All Stats and Data

Shortly before the squad was announced, Tandy confirmed his coaching team, where Dan Lydiate, Duncan Jones and Rhys Patchell will re-join his back-room staff on an interim basis as they did in the autumn.

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. I think we have a good blend again within the squad moving into this campaign and can’t wait for us to assemble next week.

“I’m excited to get back into camp and look at how we build on the foundations established in the autumn and make sure we are continually growing and developing as a group.”

Wales squad
Forwards (20)
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 19 caps)
Adam Beard (Montpellier – 61 caps)
Liam Belcher (Cardiff Rugby – 4 caps)
James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 18 caps)
Rhys Carre (Saracens – 23 caps)
Ben Carter (Dragons – 14 caps)
Olly Cracknell (Leicester Tigers – 2 caps)
Harri Deaves (Ospreys – 1 cap)
Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 44 caps)
Tomas Francis (Provence Rugby – 77 caps)
Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby – 11 caps)
Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 26 caps)
Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 26 caps) captain
Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby – 11 caps)
Josh Macleod (Scarlets – 4 caps)
Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 11 caps)
Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 58 caps)
Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 44 caps)
Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby – 7 caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 62 caps)

Backs (18)
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 65 caps)
Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 19 caps)
Dan Edwards (Ospreys – 7 caps)
Jarrod Evans (Harlequins – 14 caps)
Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby – 15 caps)
Kieran Hardy (Ospreys – 28 caps)
Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Leicester Tigers – uncapped)
Joe Hawkins (Scarlets – 7 caps)
Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby – uncapped)
Eddie James (Scarlets – 4 caps)
Ellis Mee (Scarlets – 4 caps)
Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys – 2 caps)
Blair Murray (Scarlets – 14 caps)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears – 35 caps)
Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 13 caps)
Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 17 caps)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 43 caps)
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 67 caps)