In a move that signals a blend of experience and fresh talent, Wales head coach Steve Tandy has announced his 38-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations championship. The squad features the return of veteran prop Tomas Francis, alongside the inclusion of two uncapped players – Leicester wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb and Bath centre Louie Hennessy.
Francis, 33, last represented Wales at the 2023 World Cup quarter-final defeat against Argentina. His return bolsters the front row, where he will compete with Keiron Assiratti and Archie Griffin for the tight-head prop position. The experienced prop, who has won two Six Nations titles with Wales in 2019 and 2021, will be aiming to secure a spot in the squad for next year’s World Cup in Australia.
Hamer-Webb, 25, made the switch from Cardiff to Leicester at the start of the 2025-26 season and is one of two uncapped players in the squad, alongside Bath centre Hennessy, who was involved with the national team last autumn.
Other notable returnees include Josh Macleod, Sam Costelow, James Botham, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady, and Ryan Elias, while the squad is missing the likes of Rio Dyer, Tommy Reffell, Nick Tompkins, and Callum Sheedy due to injury.
With flanker Jac Morgan sidelined, hooker Dewi Lake will once again captain the squad, while number eight Taulupe Faletau and centre Max Llewellyn are also unavailable due to injury.
The 38-man squad features 13 England and France-based players, while 14 players hail from Cardiff and Ospreys, at a time when there are suggestions of a potential merger between the two regions.
“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,” said Tandy.
“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.”
The Wales squad will link up next week before their Six Nations opener against England on Saturday, 7 February. The team will be aiming to end their 11-match losing streak in the tournament, with their last victory coming against Italy in March 2023.
