Tandy waits on Wales captaincy decision

Head coach Steve Tandy says he will wait to make a final decision on who will captain Wales this summer.

Tandy named a 48-strong squad for four internationals in June and July but left the captaincy role open.

Flanker Jac Morgan led Wales during Tandy's first game in charge against Argentina in November 2025 but damaged a shoulder and missed the next eight matches.

Hooker Dewi Lake led the side in Morgan's absence during the rest of the 2025 autumn international series and 2026 Six Nations tournament.

Morgan is now back fit while Lake is expected to recover from a shoulder injury and be fit for the uncapped match against Barbarians on 27 June, or the three Nations Championships matches against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa in July.

Morgan and Lake were named as Wales co-captains for the 2023 World Cup by former boss Warren Gatland and Tandy will weigh up whether to adopt the same policy.

"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 his five-month absence, British and Irish Lions flanker Morgan has been in 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."

Morgan has been joined in the Wales back row by the recalled Tommy Reffell, who was left out of Tandy's first two squads.

"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."

Cardiff duo Alex Mann and James Botham and uncapped duo Kane James and Harrison Keddie can also play open-side, with Josh Macleod and Harri Deaves missing out.

"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."

Tandy has named an extended squad which will be reduced after Wales play the Barbarians at the Allianz Stadium Twickenham on 27 June.

The inaugural Nations Championship will provide logistical challenges for Wales as they prepare to fly more than 12,000 miles in a couple of weeks.

Tandy's side open the tournament against Fiji in Cardiff on 4 July, before travelling more than 7,000 miles to face Argentina in San Juan seven days later.

Wales will then face the 5,300-mile trip to Durban to play world champions South Africa on 18 July.

"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 says there will be no excuses from his squad.

"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."