With Wales’ Six Nations campaign kicking off against Scotland in three weeks time head-coach Warren Gatland has chosen his squad for the campaign.
Kiwi, Gatland, 60, stunned by the retirement from rugby of winger Louis Rees-Zammit has certainly had better days after finding out his star man would not be available just half an hour before revealing his hand.
There has been much debate over who would make the cut in a youthful squad missing several familiar faces including captain Jac Morgan and his deputy, Ospreys teammate Dewi Lake.
Both are sidelined through injury, with Morgan’s knee injury likely to sideline him for the entire tournament meaning a new captain would be needed for the Principality Stadium opener.
Exeter Chiefs 21-year-old Dafydd Jenkins has won the battle to lead his country, beating Ospreys Adam Beard and Racing 92 Will Rowlands to the role meaning one of the two will now likely have to make do with a place on the replacements bench.
There are five uncapped players in the squad with the Cardiff quartet of full-back Cameron Winnett, flanker Alex Mann and back-row pairing Evan Lloyd and Mackenzie Martin joined by Bath prop Archie Griffin.
Another eight players could make their first Six Nations appearance, including Keiron Assiratti, Corey Domachowski, Cai Evans, Kemsley Mathias, Joe Roberts and Teddy Williams who all made their international debuts last summer plus Scarlets duo Sam Costelow and Ioan Lloyd.
There are recalls for Ospreys centre Owen Watkin and Cardiff back-row James Botham in a Wales squad that has an average age of 25.
Injuries and unavailability, however, carry the main talking points in the selection with Taulupe Faletau ruled out of the tournament, whilst Dillon Lewis and Thomas Francis loss will be heavily felt.
Without Rees-Zammit the main question will be who is likely to deputise for Wales at full-back with the former Gloucester man mooted for the position.
Already without retired Leigh Halfpenny and ineligible Liam Williams, Gatland has selected in form Winnett despite the Cardiff man likely to miss the first two matches with a jaw injury. Also in the mix for the role are Evans and the Scarlets pairing Lloyd and Tom Rogers.
Exeter’s exciting Cardiff-born 21-year-old wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is not in the squad amid rumours he will declare to play for Steve Borthwick’s England.
Speaking on his selection Gatland said:
“I think people look at the squad and what we’re trying to develop over the next three years. We tried to be consistent with the thinking from the World Cup and the young captains we named there. Unfortunately, they’re both injured.
“There’s a little bit of experience in terms of players like George North and Gareth Davies – we wanted a little bit of continuity with that.
“What I’ve learned in the past is that even though we’ve done all that hard work in terms of preparation and build-up to the RWC.
“For me it’s about going back to the start a little bit, going back to honing the basics and hammering away at that and almost like starting again. You have to reset in terms of our goals and what we want to achieve.
“I see Daf [Dafydd Jenkins] as one for the future. I see him as a definite starter in three years. The average age of the squad is 25. We want it to be mid-to-late 20s by the next World Cup.
“He’s the type of guy who gets on with his job. He’s one of the last out of the gym. He works hard on his preparation and will lead by example.
“Tomas Francis, we’d had a conversation a number of months ago that he wouldn’t initially be available for international rugby. He’s not retired, whilst Dillon [Lewis] is a selection issue.
“We want to look at other players. The big thing for us is the mobility in the tight-five. That’s the way the game is. Faletau has another calf injury which will probably keep him out for the Six Nations.
“Cai Evans can play full-back [as an option in place of Rees-Zammit]. We see him as one to develop. Tom Rogers can play there too. Long term, I think that’s his position. He’s probably not quick enough as a winger, although he’s done a good job. Ioan Lloyd can play there. We’ve got lots of options.
“We’re seeing youngsters get opportunities at regional level. We won’t benefit in the short-term but those youngsters getting chances will help in the next few years. Despite people talking about the financial challenges, I see it differently as a chance to reset.”
Wales squad for 2024 Six Nations
Forwards: Corey Domachowski (Cardiff), Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Evan Lloyd (Cardiff), Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Leon Brown (Dragons), Archie Griffin (Bath), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Dafydd Jenkins (captain, Exeter), Will Rowlands (Racing 92), Teddy Williams (Cardiff), Taine Basham (Dragons), James Botham (Cardiff), Alex Mann (Cardiff), Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff), Tommy Reffell (Leicester), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons).
Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets), Tomos Williams (Cardiff), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Cai Evans (Dragons), Ioan Lloyd (Scarlets), Mason Grady (Cardiff), George North (Ospreys), Joe Roberts (Scarlets), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Josh Adams (Cardiff), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Cameron Winnett (Cardiff).
[Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union]
