Wales star back to salvage Gatland's second stint
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT Wales head coach Warren Gatland has named his team to play France in the opening match of the 2025 Six Nations at Stade de France, Paris on Friday.
Josh Adams, Liam Williams and Dafydd Jenkins return to the Wales starting XV at wing, fullback and second row respectively.
Captain Jac Morgan starts at openside flanker. He is joined in the back row by James Botham (blindside flanker) and Aaron Wainwright (No.8).
Will Rowlands partners Jenkins in the second row.
In the Wales front row Evan Lloyd is named at hooker for his first Test start. Henry Thomas is selected at tighthead prop to also make his first start and his first Wales appearance since World Cup 2023. Gareth Thomas is at loosehead.
Tomos Williams starts at scrumhalf. Ben Thomas, making his Six Nations debut, is at flyhalf.
Owen Watkin lines up alongside Nick Tompkins in the midfield and Tom Rogers, named at wing, completes the starting line-up.
Among the Wales replacements, Nicky Smith is in line to win his 50th cap on Friday, while flyhalf Dan Edwards could make his senior Wales debut.
Freddie Thomas and Blair Murray are in line to make their first Six Nations appearances having won their first senior international caps in the Nations Series.
Elliot Dee (hooker) and Keiron Assiratti (tighthead prop) join Smith as front row cover.
Tommy Reffell is the other replacement forward and Rhodri Williams covers scrumhalf.
Gatland said: “We’re excited for the challenge on Friday. The Six Nations in the best rugby competition in the world.
“Every game is a big occasion. We want to go out there, embrace that and start our championship well.”
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Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Ben Thomas, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 James Botham, 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Evan Lloyd, 1 Gareth Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Dan Edwards, 23 Blair Murray.
Date: Friday, January 31
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 21.15 (20.15 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
