After 13 games in charge, Wales head coach Steve Tandy has learned one of the job’s hardest lessons: every squad announcement brings a fresh wave of flak — and some very tough phone calls.
Steve Tandy (Credits: Huw Evans Picture Agency/BBC Sport)
Tandy named his 39-man squad for November’s Nations Championship on Tuesday, and the 11am announcement drew the usual tribal split. Fans celebrated the inclusion of uncapped trio Aneurin Owen, Che Hope and Rhys Barratt, plus recalls for Rio Dyer, Seb Davies, Taine Basham and Gabriel Hamer-Webb. But there was disappointment at the omissions of Taulupe Faletau, Macs Page, Elliot Dee, Bryn Bradley and Mason Grady — and Tommy Reffell, who Tandy later revealed had suffered a knee injury.
“I Cop Flak Wherever I Go”
“There’ll be people out there challenging me on selections,” said Tandy, who has now named four squads. “No-one really says who they would leave out either, it’s always the people that should be in! It’s something that comes with the territory.”
The former Ospreys flanker, who left his role as Scotland’s defence coach to take the Wales job in summer 2025, has used 54 players so far and is still casting the net wide despite the World Cup in Australia being less than a year away. “I cop flak wherever I go, that’s something I’m getting used to,” he admitted. “You can only pick so many.”
He also revealed the human side of the process: “There have been some brilliant performances out there from boys that are not in. I’ve had some phone calls over the last few days that were tough, but I’d rather the boys know where they sit.”
Rewarding Form Over Reputation
With only 12 or 13 games before Wales open their World Cup campaign against Zimbabwe, it would be understandable for Tandy to narrow his options. Instead, he’s still rewarding performances — including the surprising recall of Dragons centre Davies alongside uncapped pair Owen and Hope.
“I’d never give out an opportunity, they’ve got to earn it, and I think I am pretty clear on the core of our group,” Tandy said. “But this is another opportunity to see someone else in our environment and see what comes out of it.” With the clock ticking to Australia, every camp is an audition.
Also Read: Wales Hand Call-Ups To Uncapped Dragons Duo Owen And Hope For Nations Championship | Wales Make Four Changes for Rugby League World Cup Clash With Samoa
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
