Wales team: Warren Gatland boosted by experienced pair but Taulupe Faletau misses out on Six Nations opener
Warren Gatland has named his team for the Six Nations opener against France.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has welcomed the return of star trio Josh Adams, Liam Williams and Dafydd Jenkins for the Six Nations opener against France on Friday evening.
Wales will be hoping to improve on their last-place finish in the tournament in 2024 but head into the match on a 12-Test losing streak after going winless all of last year.
However, hopes of doing just that look bleak in the opening round as they tackle one of the tournament favourites, France, at their iconic home ground of the Stade de France.
Adams and Williams return for Wales
Still, their chances have been significantly boosted by the return of the experienced backline pair as well as the rising lock forward.
Williams is set to earn his 93rd Test cap in Wales‘ first game of 2025 as he lines up at full-back with Adams starting on the left wing. The back three division is completed by Scarlets star Tom Rogers who earns his sixth cap.
Owen Watkin and Nick Tompkins make up the centre pairing while Gatland has interestingly opted for Cardiff midfielder Ben Thomas in the number 10 jersey – where he featured for Wales in Australia last year – with Tomos Williams being handed the number nine jersey.
Into the pack and Taulupe Faletau has not recovered in time from his most recent setback to feature in the back-row which means that Aaron Wainwright will once again don the number eight jersey. He is joined by captain Jac Morgan and blindside flanker James Botham in the loose trio.
Jenkins starts alongside Will Rowlands in the second-row while the front-row consists of loosehead Gareth Thomas, hooker Evan Lloyd and tighthead Henry Thomas.
Gatland has opted for the traditional 5-3 split between forwards and backs on his bench with Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith and Keiron Assiratti covering the front row – Smith is in line to win his 50th cap.
Freddie Thomas and Tommy Reffell cover the back-five forward slots while there is a potential debut for Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards who is named in between fellow backs Rhodri Williams and Blair Murray.
Wales team v France
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 (c), 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, Saint-Denis
Kick-off: 21:15 local (20:15 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: Chris Busby (IRFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
FPRO: Damon Murphy (RA)
READ MORE: Six Nations Round One: Fixtures, kick-off times, referees and global TV channels
