Steve Tandy announces Wales squad for the autumn Nations Championship fixtures

Steve Tandy watches his players warm up before Wales v France match in 2026 Six Nations Steve Tandy has announced his Wales squad for the autumn fixtures (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Steve Tandy has named a 39-man squad for games against Japan, New Zealand and Australia and a closing fixture at Allianz Stadium Twickenham on finals weekend.

Uncapped trio Aneurin Owen, Che Hope and Rhys Barrett are included in a squad with an average age of 27, and boasting 14 players based in England and one in France.

Leicester back-rowers Tommy Reffell and Olly Cracknell have missed out on selection despite their good form for Leicester in the Gallagher Prem.

Toby Faletau is another back-row absentee after returning from injury for Cardiff in the Champions Cup last weekend, and Saracens centre Nick Tompkins also misses out.

Faletau turns 36 in November and is hoping to play at his fourth World Cup in Australia next year.

Tandy said: “We’re excited to head into our three home rounds of the competition.

“Principality Stadium is a special place to play and means an awful lot to the players.

“When we assemble as a group next week all eyes will be on that first home fixture against Japan and preparing well to put in a good performance for the fans.”

Cardiff loosehead prop Barrett and Dragons pair Hope and Owen are included for the first time.

Scrum-half Hope gets his chance with Ospreys’ Kieran Hardy facing a lengthy lay-off with a knee injury, while Owen features after shining for the Dragons in the United Rugby Championship.

Cardiff centre Ben Thomas is ruled out with a calf problem, but Scarlets outside-half Sam Costelow features despite being injured against Newcastle last weekend.

Liam Belcher, Tomas Francis, Archie Griffin, Louie Hennessey and Dafydd Jenkins return having been unavailable for the July window of the Nations Championship.

There are also call ups for Taine Basham, Seb Davies and Rio Dyer.

Tandy said: “It’s great to welcome back the players who were unavailable for the first three rounds of the Nations Championship.

“Added to that, there are a number of players who’ve been in great form for their clubs and so we wanted to give them an opportunity in the squad this autumn.”



Wales Squad for Autumn Internationals

Forwards: Rhys Barratt (Cardiff Rugby)*, Taine Basham (Cardiff Rugby), Adam Beard (Montpellier), Liam Belcher (Cardiff Rugby), James Botham (Cardiff Rugby), Rhys Carre (Saracens), Ben Carter (Dragons), Seb Davies (Dragons), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Sale Sharks), Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby), Kane James (Exeter Chiefs), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), Dewi Lake (Captain, Gloucester Rugby), Dillon Lewis (Dragons), Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby), Jac Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Sale Sharks), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Aaron Wainwright (Leicester Tigers), Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby)

Backs: Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Leicester Tigers), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets), Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby), Che Hope (Dragons)*, Eddie James (Scarlets), Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby), Ellis Mee (Scarlets), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Aneurin Owen (Dragons)*, Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears), Tom Rogers (Ospreys), Tomos Williams (Saracens)

* Denotes uncapped player

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