Lock Dafydd Jenkins will begin his stint as captain of the side in the absence of Ospreys duo Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake as a new era without many familiar faces begins. The Exeter skipper is partnered with Ospreys Adam Beard.
After much talk over who would replace the unavailable Liam Williams and retired Leigh Halfpenny, it is 21-year-old Winnett who has been given the chance to impress at full back having overcome a fractured jaw quicker than expected.
The Cardiff player’s inclusion allows team-mate Josh Adams to take his place on the wing, with Dragons Rio Dyer positioned on the other.
George North has failed to recover from a shoulder injury suffered in the Ospreys Challenge Cup victory over the Lions two weeks ago, so regional team-mate Owen Watkin starts at centre with Saracens Nick Tompkins.
Scarlets fly-half Sam Costelow will win his ninth cap in the first game since the international retirement of Dan Biggar and will be partnered at half-back with the experienced Gareth Davies.
Without Morgan and Taulupe Faletau for the tournament, flanker James Botham earns his first cap since the summer of 2021 in the back-row with Dragons Aaron Wainwright and Leicester Tigers Tommy Reffell.
Without the three World Cup tight-head props Dillon Lewis, Henry Thomas and Thomas Francis, Gatland has opted for Dragons Leon Brown to fill the void. Ospreys Gareth Thomas is absent from the 23 with Cardiff’s Corey Domachowski and Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias completing the front-row.
Wales XV to face Scotland:
Cam Winnett, Rio Dyer, Owen Watkin, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams, Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies
Corey Domachowski, Ryan Elias, Leon Brown, Dafydd Jenkins (captain), Adam Beard, Liam Botham, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements:
Ellott Dee, Kemsley Mathias, Keiron Assiratti, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Tomos Williams, Ioan Lloyd, Mason Grady.
[Lead image: Cardiff Rugby]
