Wales team for Guinness Six Nations opener against France

Senior men’s head coach Warren Gatland has named the Wales team to play France in the opening match of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations at Stade de France, Paris on Friday 31 January (KO 20.15h GMT, live on ITV and S4C).

Josh Adams, Liam Williams and Dafydd Jenkins return to the Wales starting XV at wing, fullback and in the second row respectively.

Captain Jac Morgan starts at openside flanker. He is joined in the back row by James Botham (blindside flanker) and Aaron Wainwright (no. 8).

Will Rowlands partners Jenkins in the second row.

In the Wales front row Evan Lloyd is named at hooker for his first Test start. Henry Thomas is selected at tighthead prop to also make his first start and his first Wales appearance since Rugby World Cup 2023. Gareth Thomas is at loosehead.

Tomos Williams starts at scrum-half. Ben Thomas, making his Six Nations debut, is at fly-half.

Owen Watkin lines up alongside Nick Tompkins in the midfield and Tom Rogers, named at wing, completes the starting line-up.

Among the Wales replacements, Nicky Smith is in line to win his 50th cap on Friday, while fly-half Dan Edwards would make his senior Wales debut.

Freddie Thomas and Blair Murray are in line to make their first Six Nations appearances having won their first senior international caps in the Autumn Nations Series.

Elliot Dee (hooker) and Keiron Assiratti (tighthead prop) join Smith as front row cover.

Tommy Reffell is the other replacement forward and Rhodri Williams covers scrum-half.

GTFM’s Rugby correspondent, Ioan Dyer, will have live updates of the game on GTFM.