Six Nations: Williams, Adams and Jenkins return for Wales' opener 
2025-01-29
Category: sports

Men's Six Nations: France v WalesVenue: Stade de France Date: Friday, 31 January Kick-off: 20:15 GMTCoverage: Listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC 5 Live; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app; watch on S4C.
British and Irish Lions duo Josh Adams and Liam Williams return for Wales' Six Nations opener against France in Paris on Friday.Wing Adams has not featured for Wales since the 2024 Six Nations, while full-back Williams' most recent international appearance was on last summer's tour of Australia.With more than 150 caps combined, they bring a wealth of experience for what promises to be a stern test in Paris.Dafydd Jenkins, Wales' captain in the 2024 Six Nations, is also back in the side at lock.Williams was absent for last year's tournament as a result of his stint in Japanese rugby, but returns after rejoining Saracens in November.Evan Lloyd and Henry Thomas are given their first Wales starts in the front row alongside Gareth Thomas, while lock Will Rowlands partners Jenkins in the second row.Wales captain Jac Morgan starts at flanker with James Botham on the other side of the scrum while Aaron Wainwright has proved his fitness to start at number eight.Taulupe Faletau misses out, with Wales head coach Warren Gatland saying he was not quite ready after suffering a knee injury earlier this month. Ben Thomas is given the nod ahead of Dan Edwards at fly-half, with the latter set to win his first cap from the bench.Tomos Williams will partner Thomas at half-back, while Owen Watkin and Nick Tompkins form an experienced midfield.Tom Rogers and Adams are named on the wings, with Williams starting at full-back.
There is an even split between backs and forwards on the bench, with Nicky Smith set to win his 50th cap.Freddie Thomas and Blair Murray, who are also among the replacements, are set for their first Six Nations appearances having won their first caps in the autumn.Elliot Dee and Keiron Assiratti provide front row cover, with Tommy Reffell and Rhodri Williams the other replacements.Wales are looking to put an end to a record 12 straight Test losses which saw them claim the Wooden Spoon in last year's Six Nations. Gatland's position had been on the line after an autumn review, but the New Zealander has been backed by the Welsh Rugby Union to turn things around during his second stint in charge.
"I'm excited, the boys have been good," said Gatland. "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."From my point of view, sometimes teams can go and overplay, particularly early on, try things and make mistakes and this gives you opportunities."We look back at last year and we were in front for 60 odd minutes and then their bench came on and had a massive impact in the last 15 minutes of the game, that's why we've tried to get the balance right with some of that experience of our players on the bench."I think they [Wales' players] are well aware of the task. We want to go out there, play some good rugby and do some things that potentially France aren't going to expect us to do."
Wales: Liam Williams; Tom Rogers, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams; Ben Thomas, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas, Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins, James Botham, Jac Morgan (capt) Aaron WainwrightReplacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Dan Edwards, Blair Murray.