Captaincy Decision Pending
Head coach Steve Tandy has announced that he will delay finalizing the captaincy for Wales' upcoming summer internationals. Although he named a 48-player squad for the matches scheduled in June and July, the leadership role remains undecided.
Flanker Jac Morgan initially captained Wales during Tandy's debut match against Argentina in November 2025 but sustained a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the following eight games. In his absence, hooker Dewi Lake assumed the captaincy throughout the remainder of the 2025 autumn internationals and the 2026 Six Nations Championship.
Both Morgan and Lake are expected to be fit for the upcoming fixtures. Morgan has recovered and returned to play, while Lake is anticipated to overcome a shoulder injury in time for the uncapped match against the Barbarians on 27 June or the three Nations Championship matches against Fiji, Argentina, and South Africa in July. Both players are set to leave Ospreys at the end of the season to join Gloucester.
Morgan and Lake were previously appointed as co-captains for the 2023 Rugby World Cup by former coach Warren Gatland. Tandy is considering whether to continue with this approach or select a single captain.
"It is about having a good think now the squad has been announced," said Tandy.
"Jac's up and running and I also thought the way Dewi went about his business in the Six Nations was outstanding.
"We've also got Dafydd Jenkins, Tomos Williams and Josh Adams, who have been leading throughout.
"It's how we managed the leadership situation properly, having chats with the boys about how we manufacture that going forward."
Despite a five-month absence, British and Irish Lions flanker Morgan has demonstrated impressive form since his return in late March.
"He's a world-class player and world-class bloke," said Tandy.
"You see what it means to him playing rugby. He's always been around the group, even in the Six Nations popping his head in.
"It's brilliant for him to be back playing and awesome for us as a nation that we're bringing someone of world-class quality back in."
Reffell Returns After Controversial Omission
Tommy Reffell has been recalled to the Wales back row after being omitted from Tandy's first two squads. The coach praised Reffell's attitude and performance since his return from injury.
"He's been outstanding," said Tandy.
"With the tough conversations we've had about leaving him out, he's been so positive about how he gets back in.
"The way he's gone about his business with Leicester has been outstanding.
"Watching Tommy last weekend, after he'd come back from a freak injury, it was great to have the conversation with him to let him know he was back in.
"He was delighted and you can see the importance of what it means to play for Wales."
Additional squad members include Cardiff duo Alex Mann and James Botham, as well as uncapped players Kane James and Harrison Keddie, who can all play open-side flanker. Josh Macleod and Harri Deaves were not selected.
"As you can see from the squad, we've got some top-end sevens, which is exciting," said Tandy.
"It's tough as a coach when you're speaking to people and leaving them out. It is important that we do that."
No Excuses in Nations Championship
Tandy has named an extended squad that will be trimmed following Wales' match against the Barbarians at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on 27 June.
The inaugural Nations Championship presents significant logistical challenges, with Wales scheduled to travel over 12,000 miles within a few weeks. The team will open the tournament against Fiji in Cardiff on 4 July, then travel more than 7,000 miles to face Argentina in San Juan a week later. The final match will be in Durban against world champions South Africa on 18 July, entailing a 5,300-mile journey.
"It's a huge ask for the players but an exciting challenge," said Tandy.
"That's how we're going to undertake it and where we're trying to grow the depth of the squad.
"It's making sure we get our work done before we leave for Argentina. There'll be a massive focus on recovering but it's an opportunity to move the team around."
Tandy emphasized that the squad will not make excuses despite the demanding schedule.
"It is going to be challenging but that's the exciting bit for us as a group, going into the unknown," said Tandy.
"You're going in there together and it'll be the same for every team.
"We can look at all the stuff we think will hinder us but I think it [the Nations Championship challenge] is awesome.
"We've got Fiji in Cardiff and then we're off to play two of the best teams in the world away from home.
"There will be a couple of logistical things but ultimately that's part of what we do."
