Mason Grady has been recalled to the Wales squad ahead of the 2026 Six Nations.
The Cardiff centre last played for his country during their 24-19 defeat to Fiji in November 2024, when he suffered an ankle fracture.
Grady returned to action in September, only for a pre-season joint injury to further delay his return to international rugby.
Now, he's earned a recall from head coach Steve Tandy as part of a 38-player squad who will be aiming to banish the unwelcome memory of back-to-back wooden spoons, amid a bleak and uncertain time for the game in Wales.
Bristol Bears star Louis Rees Zammit retains his place in the squad after marking his return to Wales with two tries against Japan and New Zealand in the Autumn internationals.
The Penarth-born wing is expected to recover in time after he suffered a head knock in Bristol's Prem Rugby win over Sale Sharks earlier this month.
Meanwhile, there's disappointment for Evan Lloyd, who misses the cut after figuring in Wales' last two Six Nations campaigns.
The Cardiff hooker started alongside Grady in their European Challenge Cup defeat to Exeter at the weekend, having recovered from a shoulder injury.
Lloyd, from Penarth, has made eight appearances for Cardiff in both domestic and European action so far this season, but just two starts.
As expected, Dewi Lake takes the captaincy with his Ospreys teammate Jac Morgan ruled out after dislocating his shoulder.
There are just two uncapped players - namely Leicester wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb and Bath centre Louie Hennessey - while Provence prop Tomos Francis returns for the first time since the 2023 World Cup after signing a two-year deal to join Sale at the end of the season.
There are also recalls for the likes of back-row forward James Botham, centre Owen Watkin, hooker Ryan Elias and fly-half Sam Costelow.
The squad will assemble for the first time next Monday ahead of Wales' opening game against England at Twickenham on February 7th.
Tandy said: “There are a few changes to the squad from the autumn, some due to injury but others are a sign of the competition there is and how many players we have in the mix which is a real positive."
"I think we have a good blend again within the squad moving into this campaign and can’t wait for us to assemble next week."
“I’m excited to get back into camp and look at how we build on the foundations established in the autumn and make sure we are continually growing and developing as a group.”
Wales squad for 2026 Six Nations
Forwards: Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Adam Beard (Montpellier), Liam Belcher (Cardiff), James Botham (Cardiff), Rhys Carre (Saracens), Ben Carter (Dragons), Olly Cracknell (Leicester), Harri Deaves (Ospreys), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Provence), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter), Dewi Lake (Ospreys, capt), Alex Mann (Cardiff), Josh Macleod (Scarlets), Taine Plumtree (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Leicester), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Freddie Thomas (Gloucester), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons)
Backs: Josh Adams (Cardiff), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Jarrod Evans (Harlequins), Mason Grady (Cardiff), Kieran Hardy (Ospreys), Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Leicester), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets), Louie Hennessey (Bath), Eddie James (Scarlets), Ellis Mee (Scarlets), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Tomos Williams (Gloucester).
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