Wales Six Nations squad in full as Dan Edwards, Ellis Mee and WillGriff John called up
Warren Gatland has named Scarlets wing Ellis Mee and Ospreys outside-half Dan Edwards as the two uncapped players in his Wales Six Nations squad, while Jac Morgan has been named captain.
There are also recalls for experienced Cardiff pair Taulupe Faletau and Josh Adams, while Saracens full-back Liam Williams and Exeter Chiefs lock Dafydd Jenkins also return. Gareth Anscombe, Taine Plumtree, Cameron Winnett, Rio Dyer and Max Llewellyn are notable absentees, while Sam Costelow has been ruled out for three months after breaking his collarbone.
Somewhat surprisingly, experienced Ospreys hooker Sam Parry has been included after he walked out of the squad in the lead up to Wales' summer Test against South Africa, while there is also a shock recall for tighthead prop WillGriff John. The 32-year-old last played for Wales against Fiji in 2021 but has only played five times for Sale Sharks this season with just the one start.
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Dragons hooker Elliot Dee returns which is a welcome boost for Gatland with Dewi Lake and Ryan Elias both injured, while Scarlets centre Joe Roberts is in after missing the autumn with a knee injury. There are also 11 players included who are based outside of Wales.
You can follow Warren Gatland's press conference LIVE here.
"We’ve selected a squad that we feel has a good blend of exciting young talent and experience," said Gatland. “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’m excited for our campaign to kick off next week and we’re 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’ll 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 Six Nations squad: Backs: Liam Williams, Tom Rogers, Blair Murray, Josh Adams, Josh Hathaway, Ellis Mee, Eddie James, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Joe Roberts, Ben Thomas, Dan Edwards, Rhodri Williams, Ellis Bevan, Tomos Williams.
Forwards: Kemsley Mathias, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Henry Thomas, WillGriff John,Keiron Assiratti, Elliot Dee, Evan Lloyd, Sam Parry, Dafydd Jenkins, Will Rowlands, Freddie Thomas, Teddy Williams, Christ Tshiunza, James Botham, Tommy Reffell, Jac Morgan, Taulupe Faletau, Aaron Wainwright.
