As Wales look to respond to last weekend’s heavy Six Nations defeat with changes for Sunday’s meeting with France in Cardiff, Tandy has suggested Cracknell would have played against England had he been fit.
The Leicester No.8 is named in the starting XV for the clash at Principality Stadium, making just his second international start after coming off the bench on debut against Argentina.
Crakcknell is restored to the back row following Wales’ 48-7 loss to England, a performance that left the coaching staff “bitterly disappointed”.
“There are a few changes for this week,” said Tandy.
“A lot of it is based on who we are playing and then Olly Cracknell has done a full training week this week and also played really well in the autumn.”
Cracknell was a late addition to the squad during the November series after Taulupe Faletau was ruled out through injury.
The 31-year-old went on to make his Test debut off the bench against Argentina and was man of the match in the narrow win over Japan, form which Tandy believes earned him another opportunity.
His inclusion prompts a reshuffle in the back row. Aaron Wainwright moves from No.8 to blind-side flanker, while Alex Mann once again operates out of position at open-side, with Josh Macleod dropping out of the starting line-up.
With captain Jac Morgan still sidelined, Tandy has opted for continuity with Mann despite having other specialist options available.
Cracknell is one of four personnel changes to the side that struggled at Twickenham.
Props Rhys Carré and Tomas Francis both come into the starting front row after featuring from the bench last weekend, replacing Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin.
In midfield, Scarlets centre Joe Hawkins is handed a start at inside centre alongside club-mate Eddie James, replacing Ben Thomas.
Hawkins has featured at 12 in only his last two regional appearances for the Scarlets, with much of his rugby since November coming at fly-half, making the selection another notable call.
Tandy acknowledged the scale of the task facing his side after last week’s defeat and stressed the need for a response.
“We were bitterly disappointed with the performance last week. We’ve addressed it in meetings. The boys were open and honest around the fact that we didn’t put ourselves on the game,” he said.
“We felt we played into England’s hands a little bit and obviously the discipline was hugely disappointing. It’s a massive lesson for us. It’s something we need to correct and put more of our game out on the field on Sunday.”
With Wales hosting France for their first home match of the championship, Tandy also highlighted the importance of the occasion and the crowd.
“We’re excited to get back to Principality Stadium. We had four games in the autumn and the crowd was incredible,” he said.
“I know I’ve spoken a lot about the New Zealand game – the crowd, the energy it brought and the response from players. The supporters mean a huge amount to us, and they do inspire the players. Our aim on the weekend is to inspire the fans, too.”
Wales: Rees-Zammit; Mee, James, Hawkins, Adams; Edwards, T Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), Francis, Jenkins, Beard, Wainwright, Mann, Cracknell.
Replacements: Elias, Smith, Griffin, Carter, Plumtree, Hardy, J Evans, Grady.
France: Ramos; Attissogbe, Gailleton, Brau-Boirie, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Dupont (capt); Gros, Marchand, Aldegheri, Ollivon, Guillard, Cros, Jegou, Jelonch.
Replacements: Lamothe, Neti, Montagne, Flament, Meafou, Nouchi, Serin, Nene.
