Wales have called up two uncapped Dragons backs for the Nations Championship, with head coach Steve Tandy naming a 39-strong squad for November’s Tests. Centre Aneurin Owen and scrum-half Che Hope are the headline newcomers, while hooker Dewi Lake will captain the side.
Aneurin Owen (Credits: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
Dragons Rewarded For Strong Start
Owen, 26, has been a key figure for the Dragons after an encouraging 2025-26 campaign, and his selection fills the gap left by injured Cardiff centre Ben Thomas. He joins Eddie James, Joe Hawkins, Max Llewellyn and Louie Hennessey as a midfield option. Hope, just 23, earns a first taste of the international camp alongside Tomos Williams and Reuben Morgan-Williams, with Kieran Hardy facing a lengthy lay-off after a knee injury.
Tandy also recalls Dragons lock Seb Davies and Cardiff number eight Taine Basham for the first time since taking charge of the national side. Cardiff loose-head prop Rhys Barratt, who played in the summer fixture against the Barbarians, is the third uncapped player in the squad, while Dragons wing Rio Dyer earns a recall after a strong start to the season.
Notable Absentees
Leicester flanker Tommy Reffell and fit-again number eight Taulupe Faletau are among the notable absentees. In-form Scarlets wing Macs Page also misses out, while Owen’s selection comes five years after he was in the Wales squad in the summer of 2021 without featuring against Canada or Argentina.
Wales face Japan, New Zealand and Australia in Cardiff before finishing against a southern hemisphere opponent on finals weekend at Twickenham.
Also Read: Wales Make Four Changes For Rugby League World Cup Clash With Samoa
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
