The ecstasy and agony of Wales selection week

He has opted for Wales, although James is currently part of Exeter's England qualified player (EQP) stocks that are required for each Prem club.

That will change if he wins his first Wales cap and becomes ineligible for Steve Borthwick’s side.

James is one of 14 England-based players in Tandy‘s squad, with that set to rise next season when Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake join Gloucester and Aaron Wainwright links up with Leicester.

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter says there will be challenges for his club over James’ Wales call-up.

"We view Kane as a frontline player this season, but at the same time, you also want a team with international players,” said Baxter.

"How we manage our EQP numbers will be a challenge, but that's what we'll have to do as these things happen."

Baxter's more pressing consideration is when James will be fit because he has not played since an ankle injury in the Challenge Cup win against Cardiff in January required surgery.

"My bigger concern is how little rugby's he played this season and where he'll actually end up by the end of the season, how match-fit he'll be or how ready he'll be for full contact, match playing," said Baxter.

"He's had multiple injuries to his ankle, so he's had two or three bits operated on.

"He's getting back. He was straight line pitch running, that's as far as he's got at the minute."

Wales will play until mid-July when Exeter will be into their pre-season campaign with Baxter outlining the benefits of James staying with the club this summer.

“What would benefit Kane a lot would be a full pre-season," said Baxter.

"Having had a disrupted season, a full pre-season would probably be a bigger positive for his career going forward.

"But at the same time, we are coming into a World Cup season, which probably weighs on his mind also.

"So there's going to be ups and downs when you're dealing with young players who haven't yet been capped. We have to help Kane negotiate those challenges."

Best things come to those who wait

While James will be one of the most exciting, one of the most popular, certainly in Gwent, will be the call-up for Dragons flanker Harrison Keddie, who was included in a Wales squad for the first time at the age of 29.

It comes 10 years after Keddie starred for Wales Under-20s in the Six Nations when he played a pivotal part in the last Welsh side to win a Grand Slam at that level.

That campaign included a six-try away victory against England, when Keddie scored a try in his man-of-the-match performance.

He was called into train with the senior squad later that year, but had to wait 10 years for his official call-up this week after scoring 19 tries in 144 Dragons appearances.

It is the same age of 29 that Keddie's Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia won his first cap for New Zealand in 2000.

"I was super proud when he was named," said Tiatia.

"It was a similar story when I played for the All Blacks at a tender age [of 29].

"Life is about taking opportunities. With the number of injuries Harrison has had, he's just stayed in the fight.

"He is an excellent player with the mentality to scrap and fight.

"He is a physical player, leaves no stone unturned in his training and his leadership is growing."

Top of the props

Dillon Lewis has played in two World Cups [Huw Evans Picture Agency]

Dragons tight-head prop Dillon Lewis has received a recall after playing his previous international against Italy in March 2024.

With Tomas Francis being rested and Archie Griffin undergoing summer surgery, Lewis' experience will be important alongside fellow tight-heads Keiron Assiratti, Sam Wainwright and the uncapped Ben Warren.

Lewis has 57 international appearances compared to just 23 caps between the other three tight-heads in the squad.

The 30-year-old, who joined from Harlequins at the start of the season, has overcome a six-month hamstring injury and is preferred to his Dragons colleague and rival Chris Coleman.

"Dillon has worked hard to get back to full fitness," said Tiatia,

"Colsey (Chris Coleman) has missed out this time which is disappointing

"I'm happy for Dillon because when I first met and recruited him, his aspiration was to play for his country again."

Cardiff loose-head prop Rhys Barratt is the uncapped performer named alongside established international trio Rhys Carre, Nicky Smith and Gareth Thomas.

Barratt, 23, is named as one of 12 Cardiff players in the squad,

"I'm pleased with the boys that got selected," said Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl.

"Someone like Rhys Barratt, who's had his first selection, is especially good and he deserves it."

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Dyer and Macleod among unlucky absentees

With Cardiff number eight Taulupe Faletau injured, Dragons wing Rio Dyer was one of the main fit high-profile absentees after also missing the Six Nations.

Dyer, 26, has been in fine form, but misses out to Ellis Mee, Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Louis Rees-Zammit, Josh Adams, Mason Grady and Gabriel Hamer-Webb.

"It is tough for Rio," said Tiatia.

"He's played well for us, but having spoken to Rio this week, he's in a good place at the moment."

Scarlets captain Josh Macleod, 29, has also missed out with 10 back-rowers named including uncapped pair Keddie and James, Olly Cracknell, Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Taine Plumtree, Jac Morgan, James Botham and Alex Mann.

"I am disappointed for Josh," said Scarlets interim director of rugby Nigel Davies.

"He is great for us in our environment and a hugely effective player on the field.

"He will be disappointed, but that's the nature of the game and he will know things can change quickly."

Scarlets have nine players, including recalled centre Joe Roberts, compared to seven at Ospreys, who also had some notable absentees.

Centre Owen Watkin was omitted after being involved as an unused player in the Six Nations squad, while forwards James Ratti, Rhys Davies, Morgan Morse and Morgan Morris were also left out.

"It is always hard," said Ospreys head coach Mark Jones.

"Playing for your country is the biggest privilege in the game and our players want to do that.

"It is nice to tap boys on the shoulder and congratulate them personally, while you also talk to the guys that haven't had the news they want and see how they're dealing with it."