Several players across all four of its professional sides will be looking to make their intentions known on Boxing Day, ahead of Steve Tandy’s squad announcement in early January.
At the time of writing, Wales’ 2026 Six Nations curtain raiser against England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham is only 46 days away.
For Tandy and his back-room team, they will already have plans in place for that daunting opener in next year’s Championship.
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This made the more difficult after enduring a bruising 73-0 defeat against South Africa in the last of four matches at Principality Stadium this autumn.
But this Friday’s festive derbies can help Tandy with the blueprint of what his squad may look like ahead of the Six Nations.
Absent international stars have returned, and potential debutants could appear throughout February and March next year after some positive outings in the United Rugby Championship (URC) so far this season.
Scroll down for Ruck Rugby’s five potential call-ups for the 2026 Six Nations.
1. Jake Ball (Scarlets, 50 caps)
Take his outing against the European Champions: it was a bruising, bloody contest for the second-row player in Bordeaux.
Something that Wales have been lacking is physicality, and Ball at 34 still has that in abundance. Another area is experience, and in a time in Welsh rugby, it’s never been needed more than now.
Ball could play a massive role in providing that for Tandy’s squad, but at the same time, create an environment to lift the competition in the second row, particularly after an uninspiring autumn in this area.
His physical presence and ability to get over the gain line as a powerful ball carrier might be a difference maker.
2. Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby, 109 caps)
It was good news for Welsh fans to see the 35-year-old still in Tandy’s squad for the autumn, before he departed before a competitive game due to injury.
But last Friday at the Cardiff Arms Park against the Scatlets, he made his return off the bench and showed his qualities straight from the off. This is despite Cardiff falling to their first home defeat of the URC season.
He shone a positive light on what was a hard-fought exchange against the Parc y Scarlets side. The critical thing now, however, is managing Faletau ahead of the Championship.
If fit and firing like the Faletau the Welsh rugby public adore, then he starts against England. Everything considered, he remains one of Wales’ first-class players at the moment.
3. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby, 17 caps)
Like his fellow Cardiff teammate, Botham was unavailable for the autumn internationals due to injury. The 27-year-old adds a point of difference in the back row for Tandy, which may be handy.
The back row has become the most competitive area in the Welsh squad since the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
He’s played well for Cardiff for some time now and is an intelligent, talented, and disciplined back rower. His standout work is a nuisance, particularly around the breakdown area.
His name will definitely cause some headaches when it comes to selection for Tandy.
4. Ross Moriarty (Ospreys, 54 caps)
The 31-year-old last started for Wales against England in February 2022, in a championship in which they recorded only one win.
His international career started a decade ago, and continuing the theme of physical players, Moriarty fits in perfectly. The big ball carrier’s work rate is portrayed as getting over the gain line as dominantly and effectively as possible.
With the first two fixtures against England and France, his physical presence may be needed. And will most definitely heighten the competition for the eight and six jersey.
5. Che Hope (Dragons RFC, uncapped)
Now looking further afield, but come the Six Nations, it will be just over 18 months until the 2027 World Cup in Australia gets underway.
Still a work in progress for Filo Tiatia’s Dragons side, who recorded a remarkable triumph last Saturday against Connacht. The young but dangerous with ball in hand scrum-half, Hope, may be an exciting prospect for Welsh rugby moving forward.
He’s perhaps a long shot at the moment, but with clashes against Cardiff and Scarlets, he’ll be looking to impress this festive period.
His game management is improving, but the 22-year-old is now the preferred option in the nine jersey for the Dragons and will be eager to show his worth.
Only time will tell, but in a position that Tomos Williams has been head and shoulders above everyone else, competition may be on the horizon through Hope.
