Tandy names record nine England-based starters as Wales shift selection reality for Japan clash

Steve Tandy has named nine players based at English Premiership clubs in Wales’s starting lineup for their Nations Championship fixture against Japan, the highest number of overseas-stationed starters in the nation’s history.

Gloucester’s Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan and Max Llewellyn are joined by Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol), Tomos Williams (Saracens), Nicky Smith (Sale), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter) and Aaron Wainwright (Leicester) — with a further three Gallagher Premiership players named among the replacements.

The selection marks a dramatic shift from the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, where only six England-based players featured in Wales’s 33-man squad. The change follows the lowering of the eligibility cap rule from 60 to 25 caps in February 2023, which significantly widened the pool of overseas players available for selection.

“Ultimately it doesn’t matter where they play, it’ll be the best players selected,” said Tandy. “It shows that our players are in demand and that other leagues value them. What’s encouraging is that many of them are performing really well in those environments.”

Tandy acknowledged the tension in the situation without shying away from it. “Of course, I’d love every Welsh player to be based in Wales, but that’s not the reality of the current situation. We can either complain about having 20 players playing overseas, or we can recognise the benefits. There are always positives, although there are also things we potentially lose.”

One practical drawback has already made itself felt during the current camp. Wales’s England-based contingent trained at the Vale of Glamorgan base before departing midweek to fulfil Premiership club commitments, returning after the weekend to prepare for Japan and the remainder of a November programme that also includes Tests against New Zealand and Australia, plus a Nations Championship finals weekend at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

Tandy described the logistical effort required to maintain cohesion across two countries. “There are logistical challenges, particularly when players have to return to their clubs to play the weekend before an international. But they are coming back with different experiences, things they’ve learned and plenty of motivation to represent Wales.”

The head coach added that his staff make a deliberate effort to stay close to players outside international windows — travelling to watch them, holding regular calls with their club head coaches, and meeting players individually to track their development.

The Japan match opens Tandy’s second full season in charge. Wales have won just three of their 12 Tests under him — against Italy, Fiji and Japan — losing the other nine. Despite that record, Tandy believes expectations are “probably” rising on the back of improved performances, and pointed to continuity within his coaching group as the most significant factor in recent progress.