Wales head coach Steve Tandy has named a 38-player squad for the 2026 Guinness Six Nations – and Cardiff Rugby are once again well represented as the national side prepares for the Championship.
A number of Cardiff Rugby players have been rewarded for their form in Blue & Black, underlining the club’s continued contribution at the highest level of the game. In the forwards, Keiron Assiratti, Liam Belcher, James Botham and Alex Mann have all been selected, while the backs see Josh Adams, Mason Grady and Ben Thomas included in Tandy’s plans.
The squad will be captained by Dewi Lake and features a balanced mix of experience and emerging talent, with an average age of 26.5. Two uncapped players have been named in wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb and centre Louie Hennessey. There is a further Cardiff connection within the group too, with former Blue & Blacks Rhys Carre, Tomos Williams, Louie Hennessey, Jarrod Evans and Gabriel Hamer-Webb all earning selection for the Championship.
Speaking after naming his first Six Nations squad, Tandy said there was “real competition” for places and praised the depth now available to him, describing it as a “real positive” for Welsh rugby. He added that he was “excited to get back into camp” and keen to build on the foundations laid in the autumn, with a focus on ensuring the group continues to grow and develop throughout the Championship.
Wales begin their campaign away to England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, before returning home to Cardiff for back-to-back home fixtures against France and Scotland.
The Championship concludes with a home fixture against Italy on Super Saturday, and Cardiff supporters will be watching closely as their clubmates look to make a major impact on the international stage.
Cardiff Rugby players named in the Wales Six Nations squad
Forwards: Keiron Assiratti, Liam Belcher, James Botham, Alex Mann
Backs: Josh Adams, Mason Grady, Ben Thomas
Full squad
Forwards (20)
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 19 caps)
Adam Beard (Montpellier – 61 caps)
Liam Belcher (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 4 caps)
James Botham (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 18 caps)
Rhys Carre (Saracens / Saraseniaid – 23 caps)
Ben Carter (Dragons / Dreigiau – 14 caps)
Olly Cracknell (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 2 caps)
Harri Deaves (Ospreys / Gweilch – 1 cap)
Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 44 caps)
Tomas Francis (Provence Rugby – 77 caps)
Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby / Caerfaddon – 11 caps)
Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 26 caps)
Dewi Lake (Ospreys / Gweilch – 26 caps) captain / capten
Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 11 caps)
Josh Macleod (Scarlets – 4 caps)
Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 11 caps)
Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 58 caps)
Gareth Thomas (Ospreys / Gweilch – 44 caps)
Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 7 caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons / Dreigiau – 62 caps)
Backs (18)
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 65 caps)
Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 19 caps)
Dan Edwards (Ospreys / Gweilch – 7 caps)
Jarrod Evans (Harlequins – 14 caps)
Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 15 caps)
Kieran Hardy (Ospreys / Gweilch – 28 caps)
Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – uncapped / heb gap)
Joe Hawkins (Scarlets – 7 caps)
Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby / Caerfaddon – uncapped / heb gap)
Eddie James (Scarlets – 4 caps)
Ellis Mee (Scarlets – 4 caps)
Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys / Gweilch – 2 caps)
Blair Murray (Scarlets – 14 caps)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears / Bryste – 35 caps)
Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 13 caps)
Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 17 caps)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys / Gweilch – 43 caps)
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 67 caps)