Lake handed Wales' Six Nations captaincy
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Steve Tandy has named a 38-player Wales squad for the 2026 Six Nations.
Dewi Lake will captain the 877-cap squad for the campaign.
Two uncapped players are selected among the 20 forwards and 18 backs named on Tuesday: Leicester Tigers wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb and Bath centre Louie Hennessey.
Tomas Francis is selected for Wales for the first time since Rugby World Cup 2023.
There are also call-ups for James Botham, Sam Costelow, Ryan Elias, Josh Macleod, Mason Grady, Eddie James and Owen Watkin in a Wales squad that has an average age of 26 and a half.
Tandy said: “There are a few changes to the squad from the November series, 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.
On the captaincy, Tandy added: “Dewi[Lake] is a great man and so passionate about Wales, which I think everyone can see.
“I thought he was outstanding in the way he led during the November internationals, not only in the three games he was captain but also how he supported Jac [Morgan] prior to that.
“I know he will continue to do an amazing job in the role this Six Nations.”
Players will assemble in camp on Monday, January 26, to begin preparations for the Championship.
Wales kicks off its Six Nations campaign on Saturday, February 7, away to England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
The following weekend, Wales returns to Cardiff to host France at Principality Stadium on Sunday, February 15.
In a new format to the Championship, Wales then face Scotland at home on Saturday, February 21, before a fallow week.
Wales then travel to Dublin to face Ireland on Friday, March 6, before a week later returning home to host Italy in the middle fixture on ‘Super Saturday’, March 14, in the final round of the campaign.
As agreed with Six Nations and announced ahead of last year’s competition, Principality Stadium’s roof will close for all three of Wales’ home Six Nations fixtures in 2026.
Forwards: Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Adam Beard (Montpellier), Liam Belcher (Cardiff), James Botham (Cardiff), Rhys Carre (Saracens), Ben Carter (Dragons), Olly Cracknell (Leicester Tigers), Harri Deaves (Ospreys), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Provence), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), Dewi Lake (Captain – Ospreys), Alex Mann (Cardiff), Josh Macleod (Scarlets), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Freddie Thomas (Gloucester), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 62 caps)
Backs: Josh Adams (Cardiff), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Jarrod Evans (Harlequins)
Mason Grady (Cardiff), Kieran Hardy (Ospreys), Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Leicester Tigers), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets), Louie Hennessey (Bath), Eddie James (Scarlets), Ellis Mee (Scarlets), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Tomos Williams (Gloucester)
