Photo via BBC Sport

Tandy on copping flak and his tough Wales calls

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has unveiled a 39-man squad for the upcoming Nations Championship, balancing the introduction of new talent with the difficult task of cutting established players. The selection includes first-time call-ups Aneurin Owen, Che Hope, and Rhys Barratt, alongside returning veterans such as Rio Dyer, Seb Davies, Taine Basham, and Gabriel Hamer-Webb.

Conversely, notable absences include Taulupe Faletau, Macs Page, Elliot Dee, Bryn Bradley, Mason Grady, and Tommy Reffell, the latter of whom is sidelined with a knee injury. Tandy, who has utilized 54 players since taking charge in 2025, remains focused on evaluating his options before the World Cup in Australia next year.

Despite facing criticism over his roster decisions, the coach emphasized that he is committed to a thorough selection process while managing budget constraints alongside team manager Martyn Williams. With roughly a dozen matches remaining before the tournament, Tandy intends to use this period to reward strong performances and test new combinations within the national setup.

Up nextRugby· 17h ago

Janse van Rensburg agrees new Bristol deal