Wales unveils 33-man squad and coaching staff for inaugural Nations Championship
The Welsh Rugby Union announced a 33‑player squad for the inaugural Nations Championship, beginning with a match against Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium on 4 July. Dewi Lake will captain the side, and two uncapped players – Ospreys prop Ben Warren and Exeter back‑row Kane James – are included. Lock Dafydd Jenkins is unavailable after a shoulder injury sustained in the Gallagher Premiership final and will undergo surgery.
Former international Leigh Halfpenny has joined the coaching team as interim kicking coach, working alongside head coach Steve Tandy and attack coach Matt Sherratt. The announcement came after a short‑lived dispute over match fees between the WRU and the Welsh Rugby Players’ Association was resolved, averting a possible strike and protecting an estimated £9 million in revenue. Wales will face Fiji, then Argentina in San Juan and South Africa in Durban, with the competition continuing later in the year.
The squad selection aims to mirror the player pool needed for the 2027 World Cup, focusing on building depth and consistency across the three summer matches.