Uncapped James and Warren earn Wales call-up as Jenkins misses Nations Championship

Steve Tandy has named two uncapped players in his 33-man Wales squad for the opening block of Nations Championship fixtures, with Exeter Chiefs back-row Kane James and Ospreys tighthead Ben Warren handed their first senior call-ups. Dewi Lake will captain the side as Wales open their campaign against Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.

James, born in Haverfordwest, previously represented England at Under-20 level before switching international allegiance to Wales. The 23-year-old earned his place after a strong first full season at Exeter, while Warren breaks into the squad on the back of forcing his way into the Ospreys front-row this term.

The squad’s most notable absentee is Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins, who has been ruled out after sustaining a shoulder injury in the Gallagher Premiership final that will require surgery.

Wales will face Fiji in Cardiff before travelling to face Argentina in San Juan and world champions South Africa in Durban — a demanding three-game block that Tandy says has been planned with the 2027 Rugby World Cup firmly in mind.

“We have selected a squad of 33 players for the Nations Championship to mirror what will be required for the World Cup in 2027,” Tandy said. “We are building a lot of competition among our group of players, which is what we want to have, and there were some tough calls to make.”

“We have an exciting opportunity over the next three weeks in a brand-new competition and can’t wait to get our campaign started against Fiji on Saturday. The priorities for us this summer are to keep growing and developing the players. We want to continue building and to be more consistent in our performances across all three games.”

Among the more experienced names in the squad, Josh Adams (70 caps) and Tomos Williams (72 caps) provide proven quality in the backs, while Aaron Wainwright (67 caps) and Nicky Smith (63 caps) anchor a forward group that blends experience with emerging talent.

Wales squad

Forwards: Adam Beard (Montpellier, 65 caps), James Botham (Cardiff Rugby, 21), Rhys Carre (Saracens, 28), Ben Carter (Dragons, 19), Ryan Elias (Scarlets, 48), Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped), Dewi Lake (Ospreys, 31, capt), Dillon Lewis (Dragons, 57), Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby, 8), Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby, 16), Jac Morgan (Ospreys, 24), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets, 14), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers, 29), Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers, 63), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys, 44), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons, 67), Sam Wainwright (Cardiff Rugby, 4), Ben Warren (Ospreys, uncapped), Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby, 8)

Backs: Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, 70), Sam Costelow (Scarlets, 20), Dan Edwards (Ospreys, 11), Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby, 17), Kieran Hardy (Ospreys, 31), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets, 11), Eddie James (Scarlets, 9), Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby, 11), Ellis Mee (Scarlets, 8), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys, 2), Blair Murray (Scarlets, 16), Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears, 40), Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby, 18), Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby, 72)