Six Nations 2026: Wales v France – Head coach Steve Tandy say hosts are still a rugby nation says

Tandy has made four starting personnel changes for the French test and kept faith with captain and hooker Dewi Lake, who received criticism after Wales’ misfiring line-out against England.

“The game is hard and we aren’t going to make knee-jerk decisions,” said Tandy.

“Dewi is our captain and leads from the front. People can come in for some stick without often understanding the full detail of what it is.

“You then have to examine the areas for which he is getting stick. If it is around the line-out, there are lots of things that can be different, like the call or opposition.

“There was never a doubt in my mind about Dewi playing this weekend.”

Tandy says any personal abuse suffered by players on social media was wrong.

“The only time I get aware is when people tell me things,” said Tandy.

“I’ve never been on social media and never searched for something, whether it’s good or bad.

“People will give me the information, I’ve got young kids as well.

“I want to be aware for the players, because I know lots of that is ridiculous because these are human beings.

“It’s having an awareness of what’s going on, making sure you can help those, but also be aware you’re in high-end sport and international rugby.”

Tandy says there is going to be scrutiny.

“I don’t need people to tell me when we didn’t perform, I totally understand that, and feel I’m a very honest person,” said Tandy.

“I spoke to players about outside influences not influencing us.

“There is disappointment, and we love our support, and we want to make the country proud of how we play.

“We’ve got to give everything we can, and make sure we can be the best we can be, any time we represent the Welsh jersey.”