Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Thanks for following the updates on Wales' squad for the Six Nations on a day when off-field uncertainty once again dominates.

Steve Tandy addressed those issues as much as he could in his press conference but it's a saga that will drag on, and no doubt impact his preparations.

Nonetheless, it's a big day for Gabriel Hamer-Webb after he was given his first Wales call-up. The wing or full-back moved to Leicester last summer from Cardiff and could get a chance to shine on the Test stage.

There are also returns for Josh Macleod, Sam Costelow, James Botham, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady and Ryan Elias.

Wales' players will feature for their clubs this weekend before linking up with their Test team mates next week.

The tournament begins in London on 7 February... fingers crossed there will not be another whitewash.

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Looking ahead, Wales have a tough start to the Six Nations with England away and then France at home.

In round three they host Scotland before a trip to Ireland and a Principality Stadium date with Italy.

They are looking to end an 11-game losing streak in the tournament that goes back to the March 2023 success against the Italians.

Are the games against the Scots and Italy the most winnable?

James Hook
Former Wales fly-half

The back three will be intriguing. I think we'll see Louis Rees-Zammit at 15, which will potentially open up a spot on the wing for Mason Grady to sneak in.

It was good to see Sam Costellow have a good game against Northampton, and again it'll be an interesting contest between him and Jarrod Evans for that bench spot against England.

James Hook
Former Wales fly-half

Tom Francis back is an interesting selection. It probably show's that tight-head is a problem position for us. We need a solid set-piece throughout the whole Six Nations particularly with England and France in the first couple of games.

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The loose-heads in the squad are Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas and Rhys Carre. They were joined in the autumn by Cardiff’s Danny Southworth, who made his debut against South Africa but misses out because four are not needed initially.

Captain Dewi Lake is backed up at hooker by Liam Belcher and Ryan Elias, with Dragons’ Brodie Coghlan missing out after making two appearances off the bench in the autumn.

Keiron Assiratti had a strong November and now has some experienced help in the form of Tomas Francis along with Bath’s Archie Griffin.

That's it for the live section with Steve Tandy, who did not shy away from addressing the uncertainty surrounding Welsh rugby even if he was unable to give any clarity.

The head coach has now gone off to do an interview with rugby writers.

In the meantime, let's delve a little more into his selections.

"For me there’s always something you don’t want to talk about," said Tandy.

"It’s very similar to the autumn and we want to get connected to the boys and spend a lot of time with them.

"I understand there’s speculation and there’s doubt around a lot of things, so for me it’s being honest with them.

"If they’ve got something to share, if they’re seeking more clarity or anything they want to talk about then we have to be open.

"One thing we can’t do is run away from it or pretend it’s not happening.

"I think that worked well for us coming into the autumn, it’s far from perfect but ultimately for me it’s putting the players, the staff and the people at the centre of it.

"If they’ve got any reservations or if they want someone to talk to or to understand I’ll be doing that with the players.

"There’s always that distraction. When you’re talking about all the speculation, everyone’s talking about it.

"You can’t run away from it and you can’t put it out of your mind.

"The one thing that’s been amazing with these players is what it means to play for Wales and how in sport they can compartmentalise and get on with their training week.

"I believe we’re building enough of a connection on the rugby side with the players that they’ll be truly motivated and I think the best way to do the talking is on the field."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Tandy says he was in his office until 21:30 GMT on Monday making calls on his selection.

There were tough calls and phone calls to disappointed players made due to strong competition.

He cites the example of Sam Costelow, who missed out in the autumn, as a player to give hope to those that missed out.

"There were a lot of green shoots in the autumn and the important thing is to build on that," Tandy says.

He adds the minimum is to be better in the Six Nations than they were in November.

James Hook
Former Wales fly-half

Gabriel Hamer-Webb has been in good form, but probably the biggest surprise selection.

Rio Dyer and Keelan Giles can count themselves really really unlucky to miss out.

Image source, Getty Images

Jake Ball had been mentioned as a contender but he misses out.

Tandy goes with the in-form Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, Freddie Thomas and Ben Carter.

Rhys Davies and James Ratti featured in the autumn and, along with Ball, could be contenders if injury strikes.

Tandy is asked about the off-field matters and how that will impact his squad.

The head coach says "there is always something" and that it's very similar to the autumn.

Tandy says he will be open and honest with the squad and will put the players and staff first, communicating with them throughout and building connections.

"The best way to do talking is on the field," he says.

More detail on this shortly...

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Wales will sorely miss captain Jac Morgan while they would have loved to have been able to call on the legendary Taulupe Faletau, who is also injured.

Aaron Wainwright and Olly Cracknell are the leading options at number eight while Alex Mann started at open-side in the autumn rather than his usual blind-side.

Combative James Botham returns along with Josh Macleod, who could be a serious contender at open-side.

The versatile Taine Plumtree is also selected by Tandy, a former flanker himself.

Alex Cuthbert
Former Wales winger

I like that Tom Francis is back. I think tight head is an area we are really struggling with at the moment, especially with injuries. So that experience will be huge.

Experience is massive, international rugby is all about experience, and he will bring that, especially in that front row.

Tandy on Tomas Francis:

"Adding someone with Franny's experience is great and he is motivated."

He is relishing the chance for Griffin and Assiratti to learn from and compete with the former Exeter man.

Tandy: "Rugby questions first, is it?!"

The head coach is asked about Hamer-Webb and has spoken a lot to Leicester boss Geoff Parling.

Says he has taken his chances in the Champions Cup and shown what he can do in the air.

Tandy: "It will be great to see him up close and personal".

Image source, BBC Sport

We're told that Steve Tandy is on his way down from Wales' training base to the hotel here at the Vale Resort.

Plenty of cameras and journalists waiting for the head coach.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

It will be a huge shock if Tomos Williams and Dan Edwards are not given the 9 and 10 jerseys for Wales’ start at Twickenham.

They will be starters barring injury with the Ospreys pair of Kieran Hardy and Reuben Morgan-Williams the back-ups at scrum-half.

Dragons prospect Che Hope had been mentioned as a bolter but needs to string some more games together.

Jarrod Evans came off the bench to kick the winner against Japan and the other 10 in the squad is Sam Costelow, who returned from an ankle injury with an impressive display for Scarlets on Sunday.

He gets the nod ahead of Callum Sheedy, who featured in the autumn finale against South Africa.

Alex Cuthbert
Former Wales winger

Owen Watkin has gone pretty well since coming back. I think defensively, he's our best 13, and that's an area I think Wales will have to really focus on, we're leaking way too many tries.

That will be a massive area for Steve Tandy moving forward.