Wales head coach Warren Gatland has named his squad for the 2025 Six Nations, with Ospreys flanker Jac Morgan to captain the side in place of the injured Dewi Lake.
Scarlets wing Ellis Mee and Ospreys outhalf Dan Edwards have been included in a 34-strong group as Gareth Anscombe and Sam Costelow miss out. Costelow is expected to be out of action for 12 weeks after suffering a shoulder injury in Scarlets’ Challenge Cup match against Gloucester on Friday.
Other injury absentees include Lake’s fellow hooker Ryan Elias, Ospreys lock Adam Beard, Bath prop Archie Griffin and Cardiff back Mason Grady, while Max Llewellyn, Cameron Winnett, Rio Dyer and Taine Plumtree are also not in the squad.
Gatland has handed recalls to experienced campaigners Taulupe Faleta – who has not played for Wales since the 2023 World Cup because of injury – Josh Adams and Liam Williams.
Ospreys hooker Sam Parry, who walked out of the Wales squad last summer, is also back, along with Sale prop WillGriff John and Scarlets centre Joe Roberts.
Wales have lost their last 12 Test matches and are without an international victory since beating Georgia in Nantes 15 months ago.
They face a daunting Six Nations opener against France in Paris on January 31st, followed by a trip to Rome to play Italy on February 8th and then Ireland’s visit to the Principality Stadium on February 22nd. Round four sends them to Murrayfield on March 8th before hosting England in Cardiff on Super Saturday, March 15th.
Wales’ miserable autumn campaign saw a Welsh Rugby Union review conducted into the national squad’s performances, with a further assessment planned after the Six Nations.
“We’ve selected a squad that we feel has a good blend of exciting young talent and experience,” Gatland said in a statement on Monday confirming his selection.
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“This group of players has a huge amount of potential and we will be working incredibly hard together this campaign.
“The Six Nations is a special competition full of passion and some great rivalries, and we have a good challenge to start the Championship away in France.
“I am excited for our campaign to kick off, and we are looking to hit the ground running when the squad convenes.
“Every single training session is incredibly important in terms of our preparation for that first game, and I will be looking to see a lot of hard work and everyone working together.
“As ever, there are going to be some very disappointed players who have missed out on selection. The message to them is keep working hard, because you never know what may happen.”
Wales 2025 Six Nations squad:
Forwards
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby), James Botham (Cardiff Rugby), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), WillGriff John (Sale Sharks), Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby), Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets), Jac Morgan (Ospreys), Sam Parry (Ospreys), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers), Will Rowlands (Racing 92), Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby), Henry Thomas (Scarlets), Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby)
Backs
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby), Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby), Dan Edwards* (Ospreys), Josh Hathaway (Gloucester Rugby), Eddie James (Scarlets), Ellis Mee* (Scarlets), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Joe Roberts (Scarlets), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Liam Williams (Saracens), Rhodri Williams (Dragons), Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby)
*Uncapped player
