The 27-year-old has been with Wales this week – with an injury meaning he could yet force his way into Tandy’s full squad
Uncapped Ospreys prop Rhys Henry could be in line for a surprise Wales call-up, with Keiron Assiratti seemingly set to miss out on this summer’s Nations Championship.
The Cardiff prop had looked to be Wales’ likely starter in Tests against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa next month. However, the 28-year-old was left on crutches after Cardiff’s United Rugby Championship quarter-final defeat to the Stormers on the weekend.
Steve Tandy is understood to be expecting Assiratti to not feature, with sources suggesting he could be out for a number of weeks, leaving Dillon Lewis, Sam Wainwright and Ben Warren as the remaining tightheads in his extended summer squad.
Recent starter Archie Griffin is already missing the summer through injury, while Tomas Francis has been given the summer off as Wales look to nurse the 34-year-old through to next year’s World Cup in Australia.
Instead, uncapped tighthead Henry has been in training with Wales this week.
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It’s understood that Henry being brought into camp is unrelated to Assiratti’s injury, with Tandy keen to have a look at the 27-year-old.
Henry is believed to have invited to at least one of the alignment camps held this year by Wales. You can read more about those here.
However, while Tandy has been keen to get a look at his wider pool of props, the former Wales U20s prop had a few niggles late in the season which made that difficult.
Now back fit again, Henry has been in camp with Wales as they prepare for this month’s clash against the Barbarians.
Given Tandy will cut down the 48-man extended squad following that match at Twickenham, ahead of the Nations Championship fixtures against Fiji, Argentina and South Africa, Henry might not receive an official call-up.
However, it’s not out of the question the tighthead – who featured 13 times for Mark Jones’ side this year – could force his way into Tandy’s summer plans after a few weeks of training.
Wales are extremely light on experience in that area of the game.
Assiratti, prior to missing this year’s Six Nations through injury, had been a regular in Wales matchday squads in recent years.
Lewis, having been recalled after two years out of the Test squad, last played for Wales in the 2024 Six Nations.
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With 57 caps, the 30-year-old is Wales’ most-experienced option this summer when it comes to the international game.
28-year-old Cardiff prop Wainwright also earned a Test recall earlier this year, brought into Tandy’s Six Nations squad as an injury replacement.
He has four caps to his name – all as replacements back in 2022.
Ospreys prop Warren has been in a handful of Wales squads in recent years. However, the 26-year-old remains uncapped.
Departing Harlequins prop Joe Jones, who is joining Worcester Warriors next season, is also understood to had contact from the Wales coaches after a handful of games in the Gallagher Prem at the end of the season.
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