Source link : https://rugby-247.com/2025/01/30/gatland-backs-experience-for-paris-challenge/
Warren Gatland has recalled veterans Josh Adams and Liam Williams to pull Wales out of a 12-match slump when they square up against France in the 2025 Six Nations opener on Friday.
There are only four survivors in the Wales starting line-up from the side overwhelmed 45-12 by world champions South Africa last time out – Ben Thomas, Will Rowlands, James Botham and Jac Morgan.
FRANCE: Ntamack back, Penaud out for France
Adams and Williams missed large chunks of 2024 and their return is a major boost for Wales, who finished winless and bottom of the table in last year’s tournament.
2024 Six Nations captain, lock Dafydd Jenkins is also back in the team after undergoing knee and shoulder surgery.
Williams last played for Wales against Australia in July, while Adams has not featured in the Test arena since the 2024 Six Nations – together they add the experience of 151 Test caps to Gatland’s squad.
However, 104-Test No 8 Taulupe Faletau was a notable omission. Faletau has not played Test rugby since Wales’ last win – a 2023 World Cup pool victory over Georgia – after breaking his arm in that game, then suffering a fractured shoulder when he returned for Cardiff six months later.
Former England prop Henry Thomas will make his first Wales start in Paris. The Scarlets tighthead has won four caps as a replacement since switching allegiance to Wales in 2023.
Cardiff’s Ben Thomas fills the flyhalf role with uncapped Ospreys No 10 Dan Edwards on the bench.
Wales have lost their last six matches against France, who will be led by Antoine Dupont.
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
Bench: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Dan Edwards, 23 Blair Murray
Six Nations round 1 fixtures
Friday, 10pm: France v Wales (Paris)
Saturday, 4.15pm: Scotland v Italy (Edinburgh)
Saturday, 6.45pm: Ireland v England (Dublin)
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Publish date : 2025-01-30 07:21:13
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