Steve Tandy has named his squad for the three games coming up — Japan, New Zealand and Australia, back to back at the Principality over three Saturdays.

Dewi Lake leading the boys again, and there's a good mix in there of experience and young lads coming through.

Gutted for Tommy Reffell and Kieran Hardy, both out with injury. Both have been playing really well and would have been pushing hard for a shirt.

Tommy's knee will keep him out for a few weeks, and Kieran's looking at a longer one after surgery.

That's rugby, it can be cruel — you're in form, you're flying, and then it's taken off you. Speedy recovery to the pair of them. They'll be back, and we'll need them.

Chuffed for Che Hope. He's been playing with real confidence. Had his injury, come back from it, and hasn't looked back.

He's sharp, he's quick and he's got the Dragons attack going. He's earned this call-up, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do in a Wales jersey.

The Dragons under Filo are starting to click, and it's great to see a few more Dragons boys in the squad.

Six of them in there — Che, Aneurin Owen, Ben Carter, Seb Davies, Rio Dyer and Dillon Lewis. When the regions are going well, Wales benefits. Good for the region and good for Welsh rugby.

It's going to be a tough three games, no doubt about it. Japan always give you problems, and New Zealand and Australia need no introduction.

But we are building for the World Cup.

I'm sure over these next couple of games you'll start seeing combinations come together — half-backs, centres, back row — and the boys are going to have to drive them.

The coaches can put it in place, but it's the players who make it work on the pitch.

The World Cup isn't long away. That's what these next few games and the Six Nations are building for.

Yes, we want results and we want to win — every time you pull on that red jersey you want to win. But let's get a clear way of playing, with performance and positivity at the heart of it.

Build connections over these games and the Six Nations, get the boys believing in each other, and go and perform at the RWC.