Tandy's best XV for the Six Nations with Wales' missing stars set to return

THE dust has settled on Wales' autumn campaign, with players already back in European action for their clubs.

- By BEN JAMES

For those involved, it was a good thing - allowing them to get back on the saddle after some tough defeats at the Principality Stadium last month.

Steve Tandy's first campaign in charge was a difficult one, as was largely expected.

Wales had won just one of their last 19 Tests ahead of the former Scotland coach taking charge.

A last-gasp win over Japan handed Tandy his first win, but heavy defeats to Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa only served to highlight the scale of the rebuild ahead.

There are no quick fixes in terms of the national team right now, with things hardly easing up on Wales going into the Six Nations.

The tournament kicks off with a trip to face inform England, before hosting France and Scotland.

There's then a Friday night match in Dublin, ahead of ending the tournament against Italy.

Avoiding a third consecutive wooden spoon at the end of all that would be some achievement for Tandy, given the current state of Welsh rugby.

Because, moving on from Tandy's first campaign, there is no silver bullet in terms of selection or personnel.

The strongest team Tandy can call upon is still fairly similar to the one that went up against the All Blacks in the penultimate match of the autumn - which was perhaps Wales' strongest showing.

Starting in the back three, you can go around in circles with the different options.