Steve Tandy: Wales boss on tough Nations Championship calls in World Cup countdown

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has named a 39-man squad for November’s Nations Championship, a move already sparking criticism ahead of the World Cup countdown. Announced at 11am on Tuesday, the squad includes uncapped trio Aneurin Owen, Che Hope and Rhys Barratt, along with recalls for Rio Dyer, Seb Davies, Taine Basham and Gabriel Hamer-Webb. Several notable omissions followed, including Taulupe Faletau, Macs Page, Elliot Dee, Bryn Bradley, Mason Grady and Tommy Reffell, the latter ruled out by a knee injury. Tandy, who has used 54 players since taking over, said he has to “pick so many” within budget. Wales begin their World Cup campaign against Zimbabwe after 12 or 13 matches.