Steve Tandy's "Best" Six Nations Squad as experience players return with uncapped star included

Over the festive period and last weekend’s European matches, only one of the four regional sides claimed victories. Tandy would have been meticulously watching, including several Gallagher Prem sides over the past number of weeks.

It proves a difficult task for the Welsh rugby coach, who’s got the challenge of guiding a pitied national side away from collecting their third consecutive wooden spoon. A token no head coach or side wants to achieve.

There were positive signs in the Autumn, but ultimately Tandy’s side struggled during that international period, which ended with a one-sided, crushing defeat at the hands of South Africa.

This is an area which was a major problem during the November Tests, with Blair Murray's expertise from the 2025 championship looking like a distant memory.

However, he should remain in the squad due to his attacking skills, but starting at full-back may not be an option for the 24-year-old.

That’s where Louis Rees-Zammit comes into the discussion. He’s playing well for Bristol Bears at 15 and will be incredibly effective there.

Cardiff Rugby’s Josh Adams and Mason Grady should be selected, with Grady offering something different in the channel after returning to full fitness in recent weeks.

This, for some, could be seen as a big call, but I’ve opted for Rio Dyer to be the final pick. He has been peaking at the right time during a resurgent couple of weeks for the Dragons.

Wales has struggled for some time now to maintain consistency in who they start in these channels. In the autumn, Ben Thomas and Max Llewellyn occupied the 12 and 13 jerseys (vs Argentina and Japan), until Joe Hawkins replaced Thomas against the All Blacks.

The Scarlets player joined Llewellyn when they took on New Zealand, before playing alongside Joe Roberts due to the Springboks encounter falling outside the international window.

Llewellyn is also currently sidelined through injury, but Owen Watkin, after his “hardest time” of his rugby career, has returned to fitness. His strong defensive game and solid return for the Ospreys should almost guarantee inclusion.

Hawkins is another who will almost certainly be on Tandy’s squad list. Despite a poor outing on New Year’s Day against Dragons RFC, he is still perhaps one of Wales’ best attacking options here.

Cardiff Rugby’s Thomas faced substantial scrutiny during the autumn and, as a result, lost his starting position in the side. He will more than likely be included, but needs to improve on the international stage soon. Will he get a chance, too?

Ospreys’ Dan Edwards was one of the positives from last November for Wales, and is in pole position to start against England despite not playing against Montpellier in the EPCR Challenge Cup on Saturday night.

Despite it being a timely return against Northampton Saints, Sam Costelow will miss out on selection. This warrants both Jarrod Evans, who was magnificent in Harlequins’ upset 27-17 triumph away against La Rochelle on Sunday, and Cardiff’s Callum Sheedy should retain their spots in the squad.

At nine, like Edwards is a pretty simple call from Tandy. Gloucester’s Tomos Williams will be selected, but his counterparts here are where things may get tricky for Tandy. Kieran Hardy will be a safe bet for selection, especially after playing some great stuff of late for the Ospreys.

However, a resurgence of late from the Dragons has seen 23-year-old Che Hope put his arm up for selection. He is incredibly instrumental in attack, and he could be the future in the nine jersey for Wales.

Loosehead is a simple call for Tandy. Nicky Smith should be the first pick due to his dominance at scrum time. He will be huge as a defensive player. He should start against England. One concern is Rhys Carré's fitness, who had an uninspiring international return.

Superb for Saracens in the Gallagher Prem, but he lacks the same quality when making that step-up for Wales. He may be fortunate to be selected, but his carrying ability, for however long that lasts in a contest, should just narrowly bring him into the equation.

Gareth Thomas is expected to make his return in the next two rounds of United Rugby Championship fixtures; his experience alone will earn him a call-up. However, there could be a surprise inclusion of Danny Southworth, who made his international debut against South Africa last November.

At hooker, Dewi Lake if fit will start. But, there is a growing concern over the Captain’s fitness after coming off at half-time against Zebre Parma, with a shoulder injury at the beginning of the month. Interesting calls ahead for Mark Jones, when his side takes on the South African outfit Lions on Friday evening.

Now, Ryan Elias, who has had his fair share of doubters over recent times, should get a recall for international duties after a strong return for the Scarlets. If the theme of this year’s Six Nations is size and power, then Elias will be extremely beneficial for Tandy’s side.

Carrying that argument over, Ollie Burrows has been a standout for the Dragons and offers a great deal in both attack and defence. He could be the surprise package of Tandy’s selection.

Cardiff’s Keiron Assiaratti, who didn’t travel with his side for the European meeting against Exeter Chiefs, is the number one pick here. He grew into the autumn and will more than likely be competing with Bath Rugby’s Archie Griffin for the starting three jersey.

Henry Thomas would be my final choice in the front row, due to Chris Coleman being currently sidelined.

Dafydd Jenkins has been brilliant for Exeter and is one of the first names on both the squad and the starting XV list. Adam Beard is also a guarantee in the second row for selection.

Gloucester’s head coach, George Skivington, revealed following his side’s 31-14 loss against Toulon, that Freddie Thomas will not “make the start of the Six Nations” due to a hamstring injury.

With that said, despite going off against Northampton, Jake Ball's sheer physicality and experience may earn him a call-up. It’s a bold call, but he may not start a game, but may just increase intensity in this area, where it’s perhaps been lacking.

He still has a great deal to offer. Continuing with size, Ben Carter would just squeeze into the squad, but Ospreys’ James Fender and Rhys Davies may also be named. It’s a three-horse race for the final spot in the second row.

Lastly, this may be one of, if not the most challenging, selection areas for Tandy. The head coach needs to strike the right balance while keeping the bigger picture in mind.

For his experience alone, Ross Morriarty should be called up, but tactically, Kane James needs to be named in the selection. Although he could be on the sidelines, due to coming off early in his side's thumping 31-0 victory against Cardiff yesterday.

For me, Tandy cannot afford to leave the England U20s player out of the squad. Long term, this move makes a great deal of sense. He’s been outstanding when selected for Exeter, has great potential beyond the 2027 Rugby World Cup, and is only 20 years old.

Elsewhere, with Jac Morgan unavailable due to injury, Leicester Tigers’ Tommy Reffell should be included due to his expertise around the breakdown area. A perfect figurehead for Tandy’s squad identity.

Alex Mann, Taulupe Faletau, and Aaron Wainwright are the easy calls in these positions. That could be the back row that faces England right there.

But the last pick would be Olly Cracknell, who captained Leicester in Cape Town last weekend and should be rewarded for his strong outings in the autumn.