Wales Six Nations Squad: Williams, Adams, and Jenkins Return for Opener
In a much-anticipated return, British and Irish Lions duo Josh Adams and Liam Williams are set to reprise their roles for Wales in the Six Nations opener against France at the Stade de France in Paris on Friday, 31 January, with kick-off at 20:15 GMT. The match will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, and BBC 5 Live, with text commentary and highlights available on the BBC Sport website and app, and S4C airing the game.
Adams, who last played for Wales in the 2024 Six Nations, and Williams, whose most recent international appearance was during last summer’s Australian tour, bring a wealth of experience to the team with over 150 combined caps. Dafydd Jenkins, a key player in Wales’ 2024 Six Nations campaign, will also make his return, bolstering the side at lock.
Williams’ absence from last year’s tournament due to his Japanese rugby stint is now a thing of the past as he rejoined Saracens in November, earning his spot back in the lineup. Emerging talents Evan Lloyd and Henry Thomas are set to make their first Wales starts in the front row alongside Gareth Thomas, while Will Rowlands partners Jenkins in the second row.
Captain Jac Morgan leads from the flank, supported by James Botham and Aaron Wainwright in the back row. Unfortunately, Taulupe Faletau will miss the match due to a knee injury, prompting Warren Gatland to select Ben Thomas at fly-half over Dan Edwards, with Owen Watkin and Nick Tompkins forming a formidable midfield partnership.
The wing combination of Tom Rogers and Adams, along with Williams at full-back, adds firepower to the backline. The bench boasts a balance of backs and forwards, with Nicky Smith set to earn his 50th cap, and newcomers Freddie Thomas and Blair Murray poised for their Six Nations debuts after impressing in the autumn.
Gatland’s leadership has come under scrutiny following a record 12 consecutive Test losses, culminating in Wales claiming the Wooden Spoon in last year’s Six Nations. However, the Welsh Rugby Union has shown faith in Gatland’s abilities to turn the team’s fortunes around during his second stint in charge.
“I’m excited, the boys have been good,” Gatland remarked. “Ironically, I think there is more pressure on them [France] because of the expectation from their fans. They expect them to go out there, throw the ball around, score tries and entertain everyone.”
Gatland emphasizes the importance of balance and experience, noting how last year’s match against France saw Wales lead for the majority of the game, only to be overpowered by the French bench in the final minutes. By strategically deploying seasoned players on the bench, Gatland hopes to capitalize on opportunities and catch France off guard.
The Welsh players are keenly aware of the challenges ahead and are eager to showcase their skills on the field. Gatland’s tactical approach aims to surprise the French team with unexpected moves and solid gameplay.
The lineup for Wales includes Liam Williams, Josh Adams, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Ben Thomas, Tomos Williams, Gareth Thomas, Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas, Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins, James Botham, Jac Morgan, and Aaron Wainwright, with Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Dan Edwards, and Blair Murray ready on the bench.
