Steve Tandy prioritizes player performance over club location for Wales squad
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 5, 2026, 1:31 PM
Last updated Nov 5, 2026
Wales head coach Steve Tandy has unveiled a squad for the Nations Championship match against Japan, featuring a record 12 players from English clubs. Tandy emphasized that player performance, rather than club affiliation, dictates selection, reflecting a shift from earlier eligibility rules. The squad includes nine starters from English teams and has seen a change in criteria since February 2023, lowering the cap requirement for overseas players. Tandy acknowledged challenges related to preparation given the logistics of managing players in different leagues but sees potential benefits in their varied experiences.
- •12 players in the squad are based outside Wales, a record number.
- •Tandy states player form is the primary factor for selection.
- •Nine of the starting XV players are from English clubs.
- •Selection criteria were altered to include players with 25 caps instead of 60.
- •Tandy recognizes both challenges and benefits of having players abroad.
- 1:31 PMYahoo Sports — Players picked on form not club location - Tandy
- 1:31 PMBBC Sport — Players picked on form not club location - Tandy
"With a record number of players based outside of Wales in his 23-man squad, head coach Steve Tandy says how they are playing is all that matters.
"With a record number of players based outside of Wales in his 23-man squad, head coach Steve Tandy says how they are playing is all that matters.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsNov 5, 2026, 1:31 PMPlayers picked on form not club location - Tandy
With a record number of players based outside of Wales in his 23-man squad, head coach Steve Tandy says how they are playing is all that matters.
- BBC SportNov 5, 2026, 1:31 PMPlayers picked on form not club location - Tandy
With a record number of players based outside of Wales in his 23-man squad, head coach Steve Tandy says how they are playing is all that matters.
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