Wales coach finalises squad to face Fiji

Wales are on track to face the Flying Fijians in Sunday's (Fiji time) Nations Championship opener in Cardiff after their 33-31 victory over the Barbarians in London yesterday.

Wales head coach Steve Tandy says he has a "nice idea" of the squad he will take into the Nations Championship as he prepares to trim his extended squad in the coming days.

Having named a 48-member extended squad at the start of the summer campaign, Tandy is expected to reduce the group as Wales prepare for Tests against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa next month.

Speaking after the win over the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium, Tandy confirmed his squad would likely be reduced to between 32 and 34 players.

"That's what we're looking at," he said. "It'll be done over the next few days.

"We'll make sure we get everything through the physios now, see how the boys are and make sure everyone pulls up after the game.

"We get the English boys in, see how they are as well. I've got a nice idea, but again we'll look back at the game as well, because there will be some tight calls to go on tour. So we'll do that at the front end of the week."

Head-to-head record

The two countries have met 15 times since November 9, 1985, with Wales winning 12 Tests, Fiji two, and one match ending in a draw on November 19, 2010.

The Flying Fijians won the most recent meeting 24-19 on November 10, 2024.

Since naming the extended squad, Wales have lost three players to injury.

Tighthead prop Keiron Assiratti, hooker Liam Belcher and centre Louie Hennessey have all been ruled out, with no replacements called up.

That leaves Tandy with only three fit tighthead props and three hookers, meaning those positions are unlikely to be affected by the squad cut.

Elsewhere, however, he is expected to release at least 11 players from the travelling squad.

Young players impress

Four uncapped players made their Wales debuts against the Barbarians, with Rhys Barratt, Ben Warren, Ryan Woodman and Harrison Keddie all coming off the bench.

All four will now be hoping they have done enough to remain in the squad.

"I thought Rhys Barratt had some really good moments," Tandy said.

"Harrison was straight into the game, Ryan Woodman's athletic, and Ben Warren had moments.

"It's great for us. We need more competition. The way they trained, the way they're coming in every day to be better, is exciting.

"There's a lot of boys back home that have been with the English club, they'll be in training this week. The competition gets a little bit higher and we've got to continue to do that.

"We've got to find ways to give young guys opportunities with an already young team. You look at the backline that started — it's pretty young — and then the boys that are coming on, it's exciting for the future.

"But ultimately we've got to go and experience more rugby. The more games we get, there'll be lots of lessons along the way, but there'll be lots of opportunities and there'll be a lot of growth in this team."

English-based players return

Tandy will also be boosted by the arrival of his English-based players, along with Montpellier lock Adam Beard, this week.

While experienced internationals such as Beard, Tommy Reffell, Rhys Carre, Tomos Williams and Nicky Smith are familiar to the coaching staff, there will be limited time to assess uncapped English-based players Kane James and Bryn Bradley.

"Not a lot if we're being honest," Tandy said when asked how much time he would have to assess the English-based players.

"We're going to have to be thinking about that now, but again, we're watching them every week.

"We've got to have an eye on an opportunity as well. These three Test matches are massive for us, but we've got to have one eye on the future as well as to where we can give maybe a young guy an opportunity on this summer tour — that's without giving out caps.

"You've got Tommy (Williams), Ollie Cracknell, Tommy Reffell, they're amazing internationals, so it's something that we're well versed in.

"It's something that we keep in contact with these boys as well. It's not as if we don't speak to them, we don't see them, we're not looking, or giving feedback on the game, so we've got a pretty good idea."