Six Nations Squads Announced: Wales and Scotland Reveal Their Lineups

Wales boss Steve Tandy named his first Six Nations squad as Welsh rugby was plunged into further uncertainty. Tandy's 38-man squad was announced as the domestic game was left reeling again less than three weeks before their Championship opener against England at Allianz Stadium. The Welsh Rugby Union has proposed cutting one of its four men’s professional sides – Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys or Scarlets – much to the consternation of fans throughout the country. The WRU board met on Monday and considered the recommendation from the executive leadership team on the sale of Cardiff Rugby. Two consortiums have submitted final bids and the WRU said it "hopes to finalise the detailed negotiations with the preferred bidder and sign a binding agreement within a matter of weeks". It is understood Ospreys owners Y11 Sport & Media are the preferred bidder, allowing the two sides to effectively become one team. There were 14 players named from Blues and Ospreys – seven from each team – with skipper Jac Morgan absent after dislocating his shoulder in the autumn series opener against Argentina at the start of November. Veteran number eight Taulupe Faletau has also missed out through a calf injury, with Callum Sheedy, Nick Tompkins, Rio Dyer and Tommy Reffell among the notable absentees. Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake has been named captain for the campaign and Provence prop Tomas Francis features for the first time since the 2023 World Cup. Uncapped Leicester wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb and Bath centre Louie Hennessey are included, while Eddie James, James Botham, Josh Macleod, Mason Grady, Ryan Elias, Sam Costelow and Owen Watkin are recalled. Tandy said: "There are a few changes to the squad from the autumn, some due to injury but others are a sign of the competition there is and how many players we have in the mix which is a real positive. "I think we have a good blend again within the squad moving into this campaign and can’t wait for us to assemble next week." Wales internationals Dan Lydiate, Duncan Jones and Rhys Patchell return to the backroom team on an interim basis, having been recruited for an Autumn series that produced one win – against Japan – from four games. The promise of an encouraging attacking display against New Zealand was destroyed by an embarrassing 73-0 defeat to South Africa the following week, albeit Wales were without their England and France-based players for a match played outside the official Test window. Wales have finished bottom of the Six Nations for the past two years, failing to registering a single victory. Forwards: Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Adam Beard (Montpellier), Liam Belcher (Cardiff), James Botham (Cardiff), Rhys Carre (Saracens), Ben Carter (Dragons), Olly Cracknell (Leicester), Harri Deaves (Ospreys), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Provence), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter), Dewi Lake (Ospreys, capt), Alex Mann (Cardiff), Josh Macleod (Scarlets), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Leicester), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Freddie Thomas (Gloucester), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons). Backs: Josh Adams (Cardiff), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Jarrod Evans (Harlequins), Mason Grady (Cardiff), Kieran Hardy (Ospreys), Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Leicester), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets), Louie Hennessey (Bath), Eddie James (Scarlets), Ellis Mee (Scarlets), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Tomos Williams (Gloucester). Experienced forwards Jonny Gray and Dave Cherry have been included in a 40-man Scotland squad for the tournament. The France-based pair return to Gregor Townsend's group for the first time since last year’s championship after playing no part in the summer and autumn campaigns. There are few surprises in a squad comprising 19 Glasgow players, nine from Edinburgh and 12 Exiles. Bristol utility back Tom Jordan has been included despite suffering an injury scare in his club’s Champions Cup clash with Bordeaux at the weekend. The most notable omissions include Andy Onyeama-Christie, Cam Redpath, Alex Samuel and the uncapped Gregor Hiddleston, who had been touted for a call-up after starring in the Champions Cup with Glasgow, although all have been named in the Scotland A squad to face Italy in Rieti on 6 February. Scotland kick off their Six Nations campaign away to Italy on 7 February. Forwards: Ewan Ashman, Josh Bayliss, Magnus Bradbury, Gregor Brown, Dave Cherry, Scott Cummings, Alex Craig, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Freddy Douglas, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Nathan McBeth, Liam McConnell, Elliot Millar Mills, D'arcy Rae, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Max Williamson.