Wales Selects Uncapped Players Hamer-Webb and Hennessey for Six Nations

Wales has announced its squad for the upcoming 2026 Six Nations Championship, featuring two uncapped players, Gabriel Hamer-Webb and Louie Hennessey. The squad, comprising 38 players, was revealed by head coach Steve Tandy on January 20. Hamer-Webb, a wing from Leicester Tigers, previously represented England at the Under-20 level, while Hennessey, a centre from Bath, has been a key player for Wales’ junior international teams over several seasons.

In a notable return, prop Tomas Francis has been included in the squad as he seeks his first cap since the 2023 Rugby World Cup. However, there are significant omissions, with loose forward Tommy Reffell and wing Rio Dyer not making the cut for this tournament.

Wales is facing challenges in the Six Nations, having suffered 11 consecutive losses since their last victory against Italy in March 2023. The team will also miss their regular captain, Jac Morgan, who is sidelined due to injury. Although Kane James from Exeter Chiefs was expected to join the squad, he will be out for several months due to an ankle injury.

Squad Details and Upcoming Matches

The squad will be led by Dewi Lake and will gather for training on January 29 ahead of their opening match against England at Twickenham on February 7. Tandy expressed optimism about the squad’s composition, noting, “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.” He added that he is excited about the team’s blend as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.

After the encounter with England, Wales will return to Cardiff to host France at the Principality Stadium on February 15, followed by a home match against Scotland on February 21. Their final fixtures include a trip to Dublin to face Ireland on March 6 and a home game against Italy on March 14. Notably, all matches at the Principality Stadium will be played with the roof closed to enhance the atmosphere for both players and fans.

The selected squad comprises a mix of experienced players and fresh talent, including:

Forwards: Keiron Assiratti, Adam Beard, Liam Belcher, James Botham, Rhys Carre, Ben Carter, Olly Cracknell, Harri Deaves, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Archie Griffin, Dafydd Jenkins, Dewi Lake, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Taine Plumtree, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Freddie Thomas, Aaron Wainwright.

Backs: Josh Adams, Sam Costelow, Dan Edwards, Jarrod Evans, Mason Grady, Kieran Hardy, Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Joe Hawkins, Louie Hennessey, Eddie James, Ellis Mee, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Blair Murray, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tom Rogers, Ben Thomas, Owen Watkin, Tomos Williams.

As Wales embarks on this Six Nations campaign, the combination of new talent and seasoned players will be crucial as they aim to break their losing streak and regain their competitive edge in international rugby.