Two uncapped players in Wales' 34-man Six Nations squad as stalwarts return

Warren Gatland has selected the uncapped duo of Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards and Scarlets wing Ellis Mee for Wales’ Guinness Six Nations campaign.

The pair are the only uncapped players in a 34-man squad that has welcomed back a host of veterans who were missing in November.

Centurion Taulupe Faletau returns to the squad alongside fellow Wales stalwarts Josh Adams and Liam Williams, who rejoined Saracens in November after a stint in Japan.

The Cardiff No.8 has not featured for Wales since breaking his arm against Georgia in the 2023 World Cup pool stages, which happens to be the last time Gatland’s side registered a win in a Test match.

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Dafydd Jenkins, who captained the side last year, has also returned to the squad following knee and shoulder injuries, with flanker Jac Morgan skippering the side in Dewi Lake’s absence.

Wales will get this year’s Championship started on Friday January 31 when they take on France at the Stade de France, and will be looking to snap their 12-Test losing streak.

The 21-year-old Edwards will provide some much-needed cover at fly-half with Sam Costelow joining Gareth Anscombe on Wales’ injury list over the weekend.

Fellow 21-year-old Mee is enjoying his first campaign in Welsh rugby after joining from Championship side Nottingham over the summer.

“We’ve selected a squad that we feel has a good blend of exciting young talent and experience,” Gatland said.

“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 squad for Six Nations
Forwards (19)
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 10 caps)
James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)
Elliot Dee (Dragons – 51 caps)
Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 104 caps)
Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 19 caps)
WillGriff John (Sale Sharks – 2 caps)
Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets – 5 caps)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 15 caps)
Sam Parry (Ospreys – 7 caps)
Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 23 caps)
Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 36 caps)
Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 49 caps)
Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 35 caps)
Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby – 1 cap)
Henry Thomas (Scarlets – 4 caps)
Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 15 caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 52 caps)
Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 2 caps)

Backs (15)
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 59 caps)
Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby – 6 caps)
Dan Edwards (Ospreys – uncapped)
Josh Hathaway (Gloucester Rugby – 2 caps)
Eddie James (Scarlets – 3 caps)
Ellis Mee (Scarlets – uncapped)
Blair Murray (Scarlets – 3 caps)
Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 2 caps)
Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 5 caps)
Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 7 caps)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 38 caps)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 42 caps)
Liam Williams (Saracens – 92 caps)
Rhodri Williams (Dragons – 5 caps)
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 59 caps)