Wales Six Nations Squad 2025

[AlRums]

Forwards: Gareth Thomas, Nicky Smith, Kemsley Mathias, Keiron Assiratti, Henry Thomas, WillGriff John, Elliot Dee, Evan Lloyd, Sam Parry, Dafydd Jenkins, Will Rowlands, Freddie Thomas, Christ Tshiunza, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Aaron Wainwright, Taulupe Faletau, Jac Morgan (capt), Tommy Reffell.

Backs: Tomos Williams, Ellis Bevan, Rhodri Williams, Ben Thomas, Dan Edwards, Eddie James, Nick Tompkins, Joe Roberts, Owen Watkin, Tom Rogers, Josh Hathaway, Ellis Mee, Blair Murray, Josh Adams, Liam Williams.

Wales Six Nations Squad

Wales have named a 34-man squad for the 2025 Six Nations, with Ospreys flanker Jac Morgan stepping up as captain in the absence of Dewi Lake, who is sidelined with injury. Head coach Warren Gatland has included two uncapped players: Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards and Scarlets wing Ellis Mee. Edwards, 21, has impressed this season and is one of only two fly-halves in the squad, alongside Ben Thomas, as Gareth Anscombe and Sam Costelow miss out.

Notable absentees due to injury include Ryan Elias, Adam Beard, Ben Carter, and Mason Grady. In contrast, seasoned players such as Taulupe Faletau, Liam Williams, and Josh Adams return to bolster the side after missing the autumn internationals.

Scarlets' Mee, who qualifies for Wales through his Newport-born mother, has been rewarded for his strong club form, while Sam Parry makes a return to the squad following a controversial departure from the national setup last summer.

Despite a difficult year, including a winless 2024 Six Nations campaign and a record 12 consecutive Test losses, Gatland remains optimistic. "This group has a huge amount of potential," he said. Wales will open their campaign against France in Paris on January 31.

 

[AlRums]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/videos/c2475d1q9z4o

 

[Welsh Exile]

Lock the thread, send it to NASA and jettison it into space.

 

[dirty harry]

I've turned over a new leaf...

I see grand slam in our future!!!

 

[Welsh Exile]

I've turned over a new leaf...

I see grand slam in our future!!!

Gats said he’s getting 2019 vibes with France away first up. Reckons we can build some momentum if we beat France. I may have just drunk a bottle of whiskey and smoked some crack, but I believe him.

 

[dullonien]

I mean, that's a massive ficking IF right there!

Remind me again what the form of both sides was in 2019? Oh yeah, exactly the same Gats!

 

[dirty harry]

I'm all for it...

It can be dubbed the miracle in Paris, followed by the sacking of Rome, then it's all on for a GS decider in Cardiff v the Auld enemy?!

Kismet!

 

[IT157]

Wales will beat Italy.

But with Beard out they will struggle to win any of the other games in the 6 nations.

 

[BPM]

Ah yes, the titanic Adam Beard is most definitely the difference-maker.

 

[dirty harry]

Ah yes, the ***anic Adam Beard is most definitely the difference-maker.

When we have no scrum, lineout or maul defence you'll be sorry.

 

[Welsh Exile]

What I find funny, is that I assumed Anscombe was injured but he's just been dropped. When Gatland was asked why he said, well, you know, Anscombe is pretty old and will be 36 by the time the WC comes around.

I mean, has he just found out Anscombes age or something? Did he think Anscombe was in his early 20s or something. **** me.

Basically, my theory is, seeing as he was moaning about player feedback, Anscombe, Llewellyn, Plumtree and Dyer were the ones to give some constructive criticism and now they've found themselves out of the squad.

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

What I find funny, is that I assumed Anscombe was injured but he's just been dropped. When Gatland was asked why he said, well, you know, Anscombe is pretty old and will be 36 by the time the WC comes around.

I mean, has he just found out Anscombes age or something? Did he think Anscombe was in his early 20s or something. **** me.

Basically, my theory is, seeing as he was moaning about player feedback, Anscombe, Llewellyn, Plumtree and Dyer were the ones to give some constructive criticism and now they've found themselves out of the squad.

Reasons for Anscombe omission are for his age yet he brings Liam Williams and Taulupe Faletau.

 

[dirty harry]

What I find funny, is that I assumed Anscombe was injured but he's just been dropped. When Gatland was asked why he said, well, you know, Anscombe is pretty old and will be 36 by the time the WC comes around.

I mean, has he just found out Anscombes age or something? Did he think Anscombe was in his early 20s or something. **** me.

Basically, my theory is, seeing as he was moaning about player feedback, Anscombe, Llewellyn, Plumtree and Dyer were the ones to give some constructive criticism and now they've found themselves out of the squad.

Ok, let me start with, you of all people probably know I defend Gatland as much as humanly possible.

I'm less critical of coaches on the whole, mostly due to coaching at a decent level myself, and being involved with pro rugby, knowing what people see, and say has little relation to the work that's going on.

I remember a time when working with Townsend at Glasgow, I watched him in awe, he was the first pro coach I came across who was a bit of a geek, was working hard on self improvement and was open minded to what worked. A great impression he left with me, was a discussion about problem solving. I won't get into it but it was immense. Anyway, chatting to Glasgow fans, and reading some criticism I was shocked lol. This guy worked 100 hour weeks, was present at an immense number of games, and was doing so much and being called out for being out of his depth, lazy etc. I've probably defended Borthwick on here way more than he deserved

So with regards to criticism of Gats, it's hard, we don't know what the selection conversations are like, we don't know the culture (much) we don't know the plan and we don't know attitudes of some of the players.

What we do know, is that the coaching staff are poor quality, Howley especially is a slap in the face to Welsh fans.

We know from past players how well Gats treats them, not just as players, but as people. The family first ideals, and praise of past players, despite all acknowledging they weren't friends with Gats. He keeps a distance and remains an authority figure.

We also know the WRU are a mess of an organisation, and player pathways, club and community ity games are broken. This has provided a very poor standard welsh squad in terms of talent AND physical specimens.

All this leads me to believe as well as Gatland has done previous, and the difficulties he has faced upon returning, he isn't the right man any longer. I'd happily still have him involved in a higher up position, without too much playing control, but as a squad we definately need a clean out, someone with fresh new ideas, energy, and enthusiasm.

The problem is, finding that person, affording that person, and convincing that person to come will prove tough, then there is the issue of putting the right coaching team around them, restructuring the WRU to giving them a platform to succeed, and having the players, and public buy in to their vision, before waking up and realising this new utopia was a dream, Gatland will get to the next world cup before standing down, and then we employ Mark Jones, or Dwayne Peel to continue the failure in new next level ineptness.

I say **** it and go and get Dai Young from teaching the Bridgend Ravens superstar coaching team what a drill is, and give him a crack. Can it get worse?!?!

 

[dirty harry]

Reasons for Anscombe omission are for his age yet he brings Liam Williams and Taulupe Faletau.

To be fair, both are stand out and those behind them aren't ready.

Wainright is world class, but not an 8. Winnet, and Mee are so inexperienced they have 7 pubes between them.

If your going to have a young inexperienced kid in a position, like an uncapped ospreys 10...

Oh, wait. Ok my defence of this selection has ended, I can't it's idiotic

 

[dirty harry]

Just to caveat my criticism of Gats though, looking through this squad is so depressing...

Smith, H Thomas, Will Griff, Dee, Parry, even Botham and Falatau arguably. These are sad selections, players selected through gritted teeth, nothing through excitement. Same with William's, Tompkins, Adam's and Rhodri.

It's so obvious that the younger players aren't forcing their way in, they are inheriting positions from retirements, and older players carrying are still too good to ignore.

Then there's selections like kelmsley, Lloyd, Mee, Murray, Robert's who haven't really earned a call up properly (same with Winnet). Just being young and playing regional rugby is enough to be called up apparently.

At least Edward's, Freddie Thomas, and Eddie James are playing well, and deserve it.

The lack of quality in welsh rugby is so sad, I know we are rebuilding, but this is really a squad of journeyman, former versions of themselves and untested youngsters. And realistically what else could Gats do, even adding Anscombe, Llewellyn, Winnet etc wouldn't change the fortunes of the results short or long term.

We need a new approach, Gats is just a scapegoat otherwise

 

[Welsh Exile]

Ok, let me start with, you of all people probably know I defend Gatland as much as humanly possible.

I'm less critical of coaches on the whole, mostly due to coaching at a decent level myself, and being involved with pro rugby, knowing what people see, and say has little relation to the work that's going on.

I remember a time when working with Townsend at Glasgow, I watched him in awe, he was the first pro coach I came across who was a bit of a geek, was working hard on self improvement and was open minded to what worked. A great impression he left with me, was a discussion about problem solving. I won't get into it but it was immense. Anyway, chatting to Glasgow fans, and reading some criticism I was shocked lol. This guy worked 100 hour weeks, was present at an immense number of games, and was doing so much and being called out for being out of his depth, lazy etc. I've probably defended Borthwick on here way more than he deserved

So with regards to criticism of Gats, it's hard, we don't know what the selection conversations are like, we don't know the culture (much) we don't know the plan and we don't know attitudes of some of the players.

What we do know, is that the coaching staff are poor quality, Howley especially is a slap in the face to Welsh fans.

We know from past players how well Gats treats them, not just as players, but as people. The family first ideals, and praise of past players, despite all acknowledging they weren't friends with Gats. He keeps a distance and remains an authority figure.

We also know the WRU are a mess of an organisation, and player pathways, club and community ity games are broken. This has provided a very poor standard welsh squad in terms of talent AND physical specimens.

All this leads me to believe as well as Gatland has done previous, and the difficulties he has faced upon returning, he isn't the right man any longer. I'd happily still have him involved in a higher up position, without too much playing control, but as a squad we definately need a clean out, someone with fresh new ideas, energy, and enthusiasm.

The problem is, finding that person, affording that person, and convincing that person to come will prove tough, then there is the issue of putting the right coaching team around them, restructuring the WRU to giving them a platform to succeed, and having the players, and public buy in to their vision, before waking up and realising this new utopia was a dream, Gatland will get to the next world cup before standing down, and then we employ Mark Jones, or Dwayne Peel to continue the failure in new next level ineptness.

I say **** it and go and get Dai Young from teaching the Bridgend Ravens superstar coaching team what a drill is, and give him a crack. Can it get worse?!?!

Agree with every word you say (apart from the Dai Young bit) but to be honest, even then, I agree, I don’t think he would do worse.

I don’t mean this in a horrible way but he’s yesterday’s man. It was interesting listening to him admit that his communication perhaps isn’t as good in today’s environment as players, in his view, are more fragile now. It reminded me of a interview with a Crusader (can’t remember who) but he was talking about how Robertson mixed up terminology and one example of at was he used a lot of boxing terminology and it resonated with the group well. Just little things like that that a younger coach is going to tap into better than Gats.

 

[dirty harry]

Agree with every word you say (apart from the Dai Young bit) but to be honest, even then, I agree, I don't think he would do worse.

I don't mean this in a horrible way but he's yesterday's man. It was interesting listening to him admit that his communication perhaps isn't as good in today's environment as players, in his view, are more fragile now. It reminded me of a interview with a Crusader (can't remember who) but he was talking about how Robertson mixed up terminology and one example of at was he used a lot of boxing terminology and it resonated with the group well. Just little things like that that a younger coach is going to tap into better than Gats.

This I agree with, Roy Keane had/has the exact same issue. Today's athlete is not combative, it isn't hatred, heritage or passion driven. Today's elite athlete is a sanitised, process driven highly focus and technically driven machine.
Gatland is probably struggling, as is his backroom staff with the attitudes of the younger players, they're probably far more Rashford, than they are Paul Ince.

The sad truth is Wales aren't physical, our group of players aren't nasty, looking to dominate, aren't trying to impose themselves, and aren't driving to win by any means necessary.

We know all the drills, set peice and set play execution in the world means nothing if after you throw the pass you get hit, stay hit, and are ready to wince next time. None of it matters unless you are willing to increase your chances of saving a try by 5% by putting your head on the wrong side of the tackle, or if your not willing to lean back in the lift to secure the ball with the possibility of a full somersault.

There are the desires I see from some nations, Wales I don't. From us I see forwards tunneling to ground in the carry, focusing on footwork, and getting into position.

Maybe Gatland isn't the guy to change this, and it's a culture shift

 

[TW27BA]

Wales will beat Italy.

Are you sure about that?
Italy beat Wales and Scotland and drew with France last 6N.
They are no longer pushovers.

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

Are you sure about that?
Italy beat Wales and Scotland and drew with France last 6N.
They are no longer pushovers.

Should've beaten France last year and only lost to us by three points. Interesting campaign ahead for the Italians.

 

[OllyM97]

I can’t see Wales winning a game. Even when Gats was talking about beating France, you could tell deep down that he knew he was talking utter b******s. Looking at the fixtures, France, Ireland and Scotland are write-offs for this Welsh side in my opinion. They shouldn’t beat England either but if we have a shocker of a 6N then maybe Wales have a shot at home. Italy is the big one for Wales, and I think the Italians have a better team and are playing at home.

 

[dirty harry]

I can't see Wales winning a game. Even when Gats was talking about beating France, you could tell deep down that he knew he was talking utter b******s. Looking at the fixtures, France, Ireland and Scotland are write-offs for this Welsh side in my opinion. They shouldn't beat England either but if we have a shocker of a 6N then maybe Wales have a shot at home. Italy is the big one for Wales, and I think the Italians have a better team and are playing at home.

Agree with 100% of this...

Except my delusion wants to call you names and berate your England team!!!

I still think a miracle in Paris leads to a grand slam, that's all I'm going to say, except my tenner is spent at william hill

 

[Welsh Exile]

Good to see Ellis Jenkins reading my mind and saying how he was very surprised with Gatlands comments about the review. I honestly couldn't believe what I was reading when I saw it. Absolutely amazing how detached Gatland is from reality and how he clearly thinks he's above such nonsense. In any other job you'd probably get the sack for those kind of comments. And on top of that, due to the nicey nicey rugby culture in the media you didn't even have a journalist push back on those comments when he made them.

 

[dirty harry]

Good to see Ellis Jenkins reading my mind and saying how he was very surprised with Gatlands comments about the review. I honestly couldn't believe what I was reading when I saw it. Absolutely amazing how detached Gatland is from reality and how he clearly thinks he's above such nonsense. In any other job you'd probably get the sack for those kind of comments. And on top of that, due to the nicey nicey rugby culture in the media you didn't even have a journalist push back on those comments when he made them.

What comments, I've been out of the loop last few weeks

 

[Welsh Exile]

What comments, I've been out of the loop last few weeks

“I think for us it gave us an insight into some of the things that they found challenging and things that they wanted more of and stuff," said Gatland when asked what he had taken from the players' feedback. “So we've taken that on board. But you've also got to realise that they are still young players as well, and that's a small moment of their thoughts.

The questions that I ask sometimes - of the players that have given feedback and stuff, what has their experience been in a professional winning environment? None of them have really had that experience, so for them how do they know what that looks like?

Even the people doing the reviews or being part of the review process, those are the questions that I asked myself in terms of what is their experience or involvement in high-level professional sport winning environments. I'd like to think that we've got people who have been involved with that environment and are lucky enough and able to draw on those past experiences and know what it feels and smells like to be part of it."

 

[dirty harry]

"I think for us it gave us an insight into some of the things that they found challenging and things that they wanted more of and stuff," said Gatland when asked what he had taken from the players' feedback. "So we've taken that on board. But you've also got to realise that they are still young players as well, and that's a small moment of their thoughts.

The questions that I ask sometimes - of the players that have given feedback and stuff, what has their experience been in a professional winning environment? None of them have really had that experience, so for them how do they know what that looks like?

Even the people doing the reviews or being part of the review process, those are the questions that I asked myself in terms of what is their experience or involvement in high-level professional sport winning environments. I'd like to think that we've got people who have been involved with that environment and are lucky enough and able to draw on those past experiences and know what it feels and smells like to be part of it."

So I'm not sure what players gave what feedback...

But this is a generic pretty accurate statement. It probably applies to us Fans too, we can have an opinion, but it's based on fantasy as we don't know what is actually going on.

Any links to player comments etc?

 

[Welsh Exile]

So I'm not sure what players gave what feedback...

My guess, Anscombe, Plumtree, Dyer and Llewellyn gave negative feedback.

 

[Welsh Exile]

So I'm not sure what players gave what feedback...

But this is a generic pretty accurate statement. It probably applies to us Fans too, we can have an opinion, but it's based on fantasy as we don't know what is actually going on.

Any links to player comments etc?

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/cqld5nel751o.amp

 

[IT157]

Are you sure about that?
Italy beat Wales and Scotland and drew with France last 6N.
They are no longer pushovers.

Yes.

 

[OllyM97]

Yes.

The only thing that might get Wales the win over Italy is pure desperation to stop the losing streak - but I just don't think they are good enough. In Rome I reckon if both teams play to their maximum, Italy are 8-10 points better.

 

[dirty harry]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/cqld5nel751o.amp

Scanned that, and I side with Gatland.

No point sugar coating it, what real input can players like Winnet, Dyer, Botham offer someone like Warren Gatland? They havnt won many games between them, let alone silverware.

Same can be said of the number crunchers and pen pushers. With the greatest of respect, but I wouldn't take the opinion of Abi Tierney on board, not over my own, or even my missus opinions (who has played international rugby).

I keep referring back to working with Townsend, but that was a real eye opener as to how clueless the average fan is, he has 100% to do everything I thought he would, and may well go down as Scotlands greatest coach (in certain aspects).

So I work in the third sector, and all the range now is including the service user in every aspect of decision making. So, I used some uni students, conducted a focus group using homeless service users, and discussed the barriers to enterprise services, and used their experience of hostel living to make improvements.

The top 3 barriers to services?

- Staff are grass, see you next tuesdays.
- Police are pigs
- Noone ever actually helps

Top 3 answers to improving living conditions?

- PS 5s for every room
- Cannabis should be allowed
- Hostels should be segregated by sex

So as you see, those involved in an industry, are not necessarily those whose ideas you should consider fully, context is king.