After announcing his 34-man Wales squad for the 2025 Guinness Six Nations, there was a number of shocks and surprises with several recalls being named.
Probably one of the biggest shocks was the involvement of Sale Sharks, WillGriff John who has only played 180 minutes for Sale this season. This could be down to the number of tightheads who are unavailable, for example Archie Griffin is not available after undergoing shoulder surgery and Leon Brown just announced his retirement from the sport.
This position has caused a lot of headaches for Gatland as the other tightheads that have been named have only 16 caps between them.
Looking at the uncapped players, Gatland has named just two players to a squad that has been put together not as a developmental one as his job is on the line. Ospreys Dan Edwards and Scarlets Ellis Mee are the two uncapped players in the squad and Dewi Lake has been replaced by Jac Morgan as captain for the Championship.
Looking at the recalls, Taulupe Faletau, Liam Williams, Josh Adams, Elliot Dee, Joe Roberts and WillGriff John maybe just shows Gatland is going all out this Six Nations.
Wales begin the latest instalment of the Six Nations with a trip to the Stade de France, and there is still a very strong side that the 61-year-old head coach can name. With all that said and done, here is who Ruck Rugby believes should start in Paris next Friday evening.
15. Liam Williams (92 Caps, Saracens)
After leaving Japanese side Kubota Spears back in November to return closer to home for the arrival of his first child. The 33-year-old returned to Saracens for his second spell after previously winning the Premiership title and European Champions Cup with them between 2017-2019.
Since his return he has been almost a must for this Wales team and one of his main qualities is his attacking side of the game. This is an area where if Wales have any chance of getting off to the best of starts in the French capital, they need the experienced fullback to be in top form to create opportunities.
14. Josh Adams (59 Caps, Cardiff Rugby)
After sustaining a knee injury which ultimately cost him not being able to play in the Summer Tour to Australia and the Autumn Nations, I think I speak for many Welsh supporters in stating that this is a welcome return to the international scene.
He has been playing some good rugby on his return to Cardiff in both the United Rugby Championship and the Challenge Cup where he has scored eight times. Also with the departure of Louis Rees-Zammit before last year’s Championship, Wales have been lacking the qualities on the outside and with the experienced winger back fit he certainly strengthens this area.
13. Joe Roberts (2 Caps, Scarlets Rugby)
Another player that has been troubled with injuries, and one stat that is staggering is that he has only played on the international stage on two occasions. He is highly ranked among the coaching setup; he hasn’t got up to full speed just as of yet as he is coming back from a long-term injury but will play a massive part in this year’s Championships for Wales.
12. Owen Watkins (42 Caps, Ospreys)
When looking back at last year’s Six Nations, especially looking closely at the match against France, Watkins and Roberts had a brilliant bond and for me went well together. Watkins is one of the more consistent players in this Welsh squad, he is great value in defence and that is especially needed against a strong French side.
There’s been conversations of Scarlets Rugby, Eddie James perhaps having the nod at inside centre, but right now I think the Ospreys man is the right call.
11. Blair Murray (2 Caps, Scarlets Rugby)
The New Zealand born winger has been impressive for the Llanelli based side scoring five times already with the latest score coming against RC Vannes at the weekend. The utility back made his debut in the Autumn against Australia on the wing before making his second appearance at fullback.
He is decent in defence, but the strong part of his game is in attack. He was thrown in at the deep end in the Autumn, but the 23-year-old deserves to start against France.
10. Ben Thomas (4 Caps, Cardiff Rugby)
Thomas is only one of two flyhalfs in this Welsh squad alongside uncapped Dan Edwards and perhaps the game against Connacht last Friday was an audition for that 10 jersey. Albeit he did start here in the Summer but for Cardiff it was only his second game there in two seasons as he normally wears the 12 jerseys.
This start will come with added pressure as with the future of Gareth Anscombe’s international career being unknown and with no Sam Costelow, the 26-year-old will almost certainly be named.
9. Tomos Williams (59 Caps, Gloucester Rugby)
Out of all the calls in this XV I feel like this one is an easy one, this is because he has been playing some great stuff for the Cherry and Whites in the Gallagher Premiership this season having scored five tries and has played 680 minutes. He is a huge attacking threat and with the British and Irish Lions tour coming up later this year, the 30-year-old will be looking to impress.
8. Taulupe Faletau (104 Caps, Cardiff Rugby)
Although according to Cardiff Rugby head coach Matt Sherratt stating it will be “touch and go” whether the 34-year-old will start in France due to missing the last two Challenge Cup matches for the Blue and Blacks.
He’s somewhat returning to his best after being on the sidelines for a long period of time with an injury, he is vital to Wales this year. He is great around the breakdown area doing a lot of the unseen work and Gatland will be hoping that he is involved come next Friday.
7. Jac Morgan (Captain, 17 Caps, Ospreys)
Jac is another one like scrum half, Thomas who will be looking to impress for the British and Irish Lions tour this summer as he is one of many candidates for that seven jersey. Like Faletau the 24-year-old is great value in disrupting play especially around the breakdown area and his work rate is immense, something that Wales has been missing in recent times.
6. Aaron Wainwright (52 Caps, Dragons RFC)
Wainwright is another injury concern as he travelled to South Africa with Dragons but was unable to play due to a leg injury. However, via the Welsh Rugby Union social media channels the 27-year-old was seen entering the camp alongside Ben Thomas and Will Rowlands.
He is a brilliant ball carrier and has been one of the best Dragons players for several seasons now. Now with Faletau back in his beloved eight role, Morgan at seven and Wainwright on the blindside with all three having great work rates this should set the tone for other players to be inspired by.
5. Will Rowlands (36 Caps, Racing 92)
Plying his trade now in the Top division of French Rugby for Racing 92 in Paris and with no Adam Beard, the 33-year-old will be looking to set the bar for his counterparts as he knows how to win in France. It must be said he didn’t have the best of Autumns, but he is one that loves the physical side of the game and that is needed for success at the Stade de France.
4. Dafydd Jenkins (8 Caps, Exeter Chiefs)
Last year’s Six Nations captain, Jenkins made a much-needed return to the Welsh setup after missing the Test matches against Fiji, Australia and South Africa due to injury in the Autumn.
He is another one that has unbelievable courage and determination with his work rate being one of his main strengths. With him partnering with Rowlands in the second row, this will boost the physicality of this Welsh side.
3. Henry Thomas (4 Caps, Scarlets)
The Scarlets tighthead is a decent scrummager and knows what it takes to face up to French opposition having had spells at both Montpellier and Castres. This is another position in the Welsh squad that will be hotly contested after Archie Griffin being ruled out due to injury, Thomas will need to start strongly if he wants to have a heavy presence in that starting three shirt this Championship.
2. Elliot Dee (51 Caps, Dragons RFC)
Both Dewi Lake and Ryan Ellias have been side-lined due to injuries but Dee made his long-awaited return for the Dragons a couple of weeks ago. Out of all the hookers in Wales he’s probably got the biggest engine but before Saturday’s game against the Lions for the Dragons you wouldn’t have thought that he has the best throwing success out of all of them.
Dee didn’t return to the field for the second half in Johannesburg, perhaps that was down to the Six Nations being around the corner. Wales will need to be strong at lineout time if they want any sort of chance of getting anything out of this opening contest otherwise it could be a long evening in Paris.
1. Gareth Thomas (35 Caps, Ospreys)
Thomas is a top-class operator and probably doesn’t get the recognition for it, the 120kg loosehead has had a solid campaign so far this season for the Ospreys. Like many of the forwards named in this prediction XV, Thomas does a lot of the unseen work which doesn’t get the limelight, he needs to be on top form next Friday as Wales will look to use the scrum as a catalyst to build off.
HTSPORTSNEWS 