Tandy picks uncapped Dragons pair

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has named a thirty-nine-strong squad for the Nations Championship. Uncapped Dragons centre Aneurin Owen and scrum-half Che Hope are included, with hooker Dewi Lake as captain.

Three uncapped players in squad

Cardiff loose-head prop Rhys Barratt is the third uncapped player selected. Dragons lock Seb Davies and Cardiff number eight Taine Basham are called up for the first time under Tandy.

Owen earns chance after consistency

The twenty-six-year-old from Newport has impressed for Dragons this season. Tandy said Owen has been so consistent and thoroughly deserves his opportunity because his performances have set him aside from everyone else.

“He thoroughly deserves his opportunity because his performances have set him aside from everyone else.”

Hope brings exciting talent to camp

Scrum-half Che Hope, twenty-three, joins Tomos Williams and Reuben Morgan-Williams in the squad. Tandy described Hope as a really exciting talent whose performances for Dragons have been outstanding.

“Che is a really exciting talent, and the way that he has performed for the Dragons has been outstanding.”

Key absentees through injury

Leicester flanker Tommy Reffell misses out with a knee injury and will be out for four to six weeks.Fit-again number eight Taulupe Faletau is also absent, with Taine Basham getting the nod ahead of him.

Dyer recalled after strong start

Dragons wing Rio Dyer earns a recall after starting the season strongly. The twenty-six-year-old won the most recent of his twenty-four caps against South Africa last November.

Squad composition and fixtures

The squad features fourteen players from English clubs plus Montpellier lock Adam Beard. Wales face Japan, New Zealand and Australia in Cardiff, finishing against a southern hemisphere opponent at Twickenham.