Wales open their summer schedule with matches against the Barbarians and Fiji staged on home soil yet neither contest will occur at the Principality Stadium.

The Cardiff venue instead hosts major concerts including Take That last week and Metallica on Sunday 28 June the day after Wales head to south-west London to meet the invitational Baa-Baas.

It would be inaccurate however to suggest the American rock band displaced Tandy's squad from their usual base.

Wales operate as the visiting team for both fixtures with the Welsh Rugby Union confirming no home games were scheduled at the Principality Stadium this summer.

Fiji therefore act as hosts for the Nations Championship opener on 4 July at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The Fijians avoid home fixtures with their clashes against England and Scotland set for Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool and Murrayfield.

This marks the first Wales rugby international at the Cardiff City football ground offering the sole opportunity for Welsh fans to watch Tandy's side on home soil this summer.

The Nations Championship structures summer and autumn Tests between leading northern and southern hemisphere nations outside World Cup years.

Formal competition replaces previous standalone matches and series.

In July each Six Nations side travels to face three opponents from Argentina South Africa New Zealand Australia Fiji and Japan.

The format reverses in November with Scotland England Wales Ireland France and Italy each hosting three encounters.

Wales will therefore welcome Japan New Zealand and Australia to the Principality Stadium in the autumn.

Results feed two separate league tables one for northern teams and one for southern sides.

After six rounds nations meet their equivalent-ranked counterpart from the opposing table with points awarded to each hemisphere to decide overall supremacy.

The top two teams from each table contest the final at Allianz Stadium at the end of November involving all twelve sides.

The opening summer phase presents logistical demands as Wales prepare to cover more than 12000 miles within weeks.

Tandy's side begin in Cardiff before a journey exceeding 7000 miles to meet Argentina in San Juan seven days later.

Wales then cover 5300 miles across five time zones to Durban for a meeting with world champions South Africa on 18 July.

While sustainability concerns arise Welsh professional clubs already travel 6000 miles for United Rugby Championship fixtures.

Tandy insists there will be no excuses and encourages his players to accept the demands.

Tandy named an initial 48-player squad featuring six uncapped talents including Exeter back-rower Kane James Harlequins centre Bryn Bradley Dragons forwards Ryan Woodman and Harrison Keddie Cardiff prop Rhys Barratt and Ospreys tight-head Ben Warren.

Recalled players include Dragons prop Dillon Lewis Leicester flanker Tommy Reffell Scarlets centre Joe Roberts and Cardiff scrum-half Ellis Bevan.

British and Irish Lions flanker Jac Morgan Cardiff lock Teddy Williams and centre Max Llewellyn return after Six Nations injury absences.

The group has since lost two members with Bath back Louie Hennessey and Cardiff prop Keiron Assiratti withdrawing through injury.

Tandy gained access to players at varying stages as all Welsh regions completed domestic seasons by the end of May.

Thirteen players from English and French clubs remain unavailable for the Barbarians match as it falls outside the international window.

Morgan Dewi Lake and Aaron Wainwright who join English clubs next season can feature.

The Baa-Baas including Wales great George North lost 80-31 to South Africa last Saturday.

Following the Barbarians fixture the Wales squad will shrink further for the Nations Championship.

Forwards (26): Rhys Barratt Rhys Carre Nicky Smith Gareth Thomas Liam Belcher Ryan Elias Dewi Lake Evan Lloyd Dillon Lewis Sam Wainwright Ben Warren Adam Beard Ben Carter Dafydd Jenkins Freddie Thomas Teddy Williams Ryan Woodman James Botham Olly Cracknell Kane James Harrison Keddie Alex Mann Jac Morgan Taine Plumtree Tommy Reffell Aaron Wainwright.

Backs (20): Ellis Bevan Kieran Hardy Reuben Morgan-Williams Tomos Williams Sam Costelow Dan Edwards Jarrod Evans Bryn Bradley Ben Thomas Joe Hawkins Eddie James Max Llewellyn Joe Roberts Josh Adams Mason Grady Gabriel Hamer-Webb Ellis Mee Blair Murray Louis Rees-Zammit Tom Rogers.