Tandy on copping flak and his tough Wales calls

Wales head coach Steve Tandy says tough selection decisions and criticism come with the job after naming a 39-player squad for November’s Nations Championship. He has picked four squads since taking over in summer 2025, using 54 players as he continues to assess options ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Uncapped Dragons players Aneurin Owen and Che Hope are included, alongside recalls for Rio Dyer, Seb Davies, Taine Basham and Gabriel Hamer-Webb. Taulupe Faletau, Macs Page, Elliot Dee, Bryn Bradley, Mason Grady and Tommy Reffell miss out; Tandy said Reffell has a knee injury and praised Page’s form, including four tries and nine line breaks. Wales can take 33 players to the World Cup and have only 12 or 13 matches before opening their campaign against Zimbabwe.