Nations Championship: Young England international included in Tandy’s Wales squad

Monday, 11 May 2026 at 14:04

byHarry Tovey

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has selected an extended squad of 48 for four summer matches, which include three Tests.

England U20s and Exeter Chiefs' Kane James has been selected following in recent weeks, stating he wanted to play for Wales after talks with Tandy and England head coach Steve Borthwick.

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The highly rated back-row player from Haverfordwest played for England at age-grade level but now vows to play his senior international career for Wales.

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One familiar face has also returned to the Welsh set-up, as Jac Morgan is back in the fold following missing the Six Nations and three of Wales’ four autumn internationals last year.

It’s a busy, but also vital campaign for Tandy’s side, as they kick start their summer with an uncapped game against the Barbarians on June 27, followed by the first-ever set of Nations Championship fixtures.

In an ‘away game’ at the Cardiff City Stadium against Fiji, Wales will then travel to Argentina (July 11) and South Africa (July 18) as part of the inaugural new global competition.

Speaking following announcing an extended squad, which is expected to be whittled down, Tandy said: “Some players will finish next weekend and then some might not come into the squad until the 27th of June, so there’s a lot of staggering, that’s the reason for the extended squad.

"There will be an updated squad post the Barbarians game before we go into the Nations Championship.

“The priorities for us this summer are to keep growing the players, get them up to speed with the conditioning element and also skill development when they’re coming in.

“With smaller groups, sometimes it does help that we can get to work with these boys even closer than normal. It’s about getting everyone up to speed, then linked to our game model as well.”

On Pete Murchie, who joins as defence coach this summer, and Dan Lydiate, who has been appointed full-time as a specialist coach covering defensive contact skills, Tandy added: “Pete coming in will add lots of detail and build on some of the defensive performances from the Six Nations. His passion, his energy and his detail will really add value to the group.

“Dan made a big impact throughout the two campaigns he was with us around the close-quarters skills, whether it be the tackle or post-tackle work.

"I think longer-term, as well, how he interacts with the boys outside of campaigns is going to play a huge part in our development individually and as a group.”

WALES 2026 SUMMER TRAINING SQUAD

Forwards (27)
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 19 caps)
Rhys Barratt (Cardiff Rugby – uncapped)
Adam Beard (Montpellier – 65 caps)
Liam Belcher (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 21 caps)
Rhys Carre (Saracens – 28 caps)
Ben Carter (Dragons – 19 caps)
Olly Cracknell (Leicester Tigers – 5 caps)
Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 48 caps)
Kane James (Exeter Chiefs – uncapped)
Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 31 caps)
Harrison Keddie (Dragons – uncapped)
Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 31 caps)
Dillon Lewis (Dragons – 57 caps)
Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby – 8 caps)
Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 24 caps)
Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 14 caps)
Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 29 caps)
Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 63 caps)
Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 44 caps)
Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby – 8 caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 67 caps)
Sam Wainwright (Cardiff Rugby – 4 caps)
Ben Warren (Ospreys – uncapped)
Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 8 caps)
Ryan Woodman (Dragons – uncapped)

Backs (21)
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 70 caps)
Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby – 6 caps)
Bryn Bradley (Harlequins – uncapped)
Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 20 caps)
Dan Edwards (Ospreys – 11 caps)
Jarrod Evans (Harlequins – 17 caps)
Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby – 17 caps)
Kieran Hardy (Ospreys – 31 caps)
Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Leicester Tigers – 1 cap)
Joe Hawkins (Scarlets – 11 caps)
Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby – 1 cap)
Eddie James (Scarlets – 9 caps)
Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby – 11 caps)
Ellis Mee (Scarlets – 8 caps)
Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys – 2 caps)
Blair Murray (Scarlets – 16 caps)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears – 40 caps)
Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 7 caps)
Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 13 caps)
Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 18 caps)
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 72 caps)