Wales team to play Fiji confirmed: Nations Championship

However, Tandy’s side’s preparations for the contest had been disrupted following a dispute with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) over match fees.

For Wales, the build-up to their opening match has been turbulent, with the threat of a strike almost occurring.

After further talks that took place shortly before 17:00 on Wednesday, players left a meeting at the Vale Resort, where negotiations were concluded to the satisfaction of all parties. "Media access was postponed today due to ongoing negotiations between WRU representatives and the Welsh Rugby Players Association (WRPA) around employment terms for the new Nations Championship competition," read a joint statement from both the WRU and WRPA.

But what impact this has had on squad members will be evident when they face Fiji. Tandy has named his side with Bristol Bears’ Louis Rees-Zammit moving back to the wing, as Scarlets’ Blair Murray starts at fullback.

Murray made his debut against Fiji in November 2024. Adam Beard was also named in the starting XV, and the Top 14 finalist will start for the first time since facing France in the Six Nations.

Another major talking point is that Ospreys' Ben Warren could make his Wales debut off the bench, having featured last weekend in an uncapped match.

Wales come into the match against Fiji following a narrow 33-31 victory in an uncapped match against the Barbarians at a sweltering hot Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

Tandy’s side scored five tries as Dan Edwards crossed twice and was accompanied by further scorers Kieran Hardy, Reuben Morgan-Williams, and Ellis Mee.

Saturday will be a trickier assignment for Tandy’s side, as in the pairs' last meeting in Cardiff, Fiji recorded their first-ever win on Welsh soil during the 2024 autumn internationals, 24-19 at Principality Stadium.

That saw Wales plunge to their 10 successive Test defeat, then an equal record, which continued to be broken until last summer in Kobe, Japan.

Off-field politics to one side, the tide was turning for Wales during the Six Nations, and Tandy will certainly want his side to carry the confidence boost from being triumphant over Italy into Saturday’s curtain-raiser fixture.

Speaking following selecting his match day squad, Tandy added: "It’s been awesome getting back into camp and getting ready for games.

On playing Fiji in Cardiff, Tandy added: "We love to be in Wales playing games. Our support means a hell of a lot to us, and our fans are incredible in how they get behind the team. We’re excited to be in Cardiff to start the Nations Championship."

On the uncapped Warren, Tandy commented: "Ben picks up things really quickly. I think he's really developed over the last month in scrums with Paul [James, scrum coach], and for him to get an opportunity to make his debut on Saturday, and in Cardiff, is great."

15. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 16 caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears – 40 caps)
13. Eddie James (Scarlets – 9 caps)
12. Joe Hawkins (Scarlets – 11 caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 70 caps)
10. Dan Edwards (Ospreys – 11 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Saracens – 72 caps)
1. Rhys Carre (Saracens – 28 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Captain, Gloucester Rugby – 31 caps)
3. Dillon Lewis (Dragons – 57 caps)
4. Ben Carter (Dragons – 19 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Montpellier – 65 caps)
6. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)
7. Jac Morgan (Gloucester Rugby – 24 caps)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Leicester Tigers – 67 caps)

Replacements
16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 48 caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Sale Sharks – 63 caps)
18. Ben Warren (Ospreys – uncapped)
19. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 14 caps)
20. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 21 caps)
21. Kieran Hardy (Ospreys – 31 caps)
22. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 20 caps)
23. Ellis Mee (Scarlets – 8 caps)