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13 January 2025

Wales' 2025 Six Nations Squad Named

Warren Gatland faces pressure as he blends youth and experience after last year's failures.

Warren Gatland faces the pressure of delivering results as he prepares Wales for the 2025 men's Six Nations, after his team endured a dismal 2024, failing to win any Test match.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has seen significant changes, including the departure of Nigel Walker, the executive director of rugby, yet Gatland remains at the helm. He recently announced his squad for the championship, which will feature strong returning players like Josh Adams, Taulupe Faletau, and Liam Williams, alongside promising newcomers.

Starting their campaign against one of the tournament favorites, France, on January 31, Gatland acknowledges the stakes are high for his coaching group. When asked if his job is on the line, he responded, “Absolutely. Yeah. You know, there's been a lot of discussions and debate about, uh, the situation... We’ve got to go out there and work hard to show improvements and perform.”

The captaincy has been awarded to Jac Morgan, marking a new chapter for Welsh rugby leadership. Gatland noted, “Jac was one of the captains... they did a really good job,” emphasizing the potential of the younger leaders within the squad.

Wales will be seeking to snap their losing run against France, with Gatland admitting there is trepidation over the match. He optimistically suggested, “Probably playing France first up is not a bad thing for us to do. They tend to take a little bit of time to get going.” This comment hints at a strategy to exploit France's adjustment period, reminiscent of their success when they last met.

The current squad seems more balanced than those named last year, which were often criticized for their lack of depth and strategic foresight. Last year, Gatland’s announcements were marred by unexpected challenges, including the departure of Louis Rees-Zammit for American football, which highlighted the tumultuous nature of Welsh rugby.

Gatland's frustration was palpable as he navigated injuries affecting players like Sam Costelow, who has broken his collarbone, and Dewi Lake, whose absence impacts the forward pack's strength. These injuries pose hurdles as the team prepares, underscoring the fragility of their current situation.

Despite the mix of experienced players returning to the squad, questions abound about Gatland's selection choices. Notably, Gareth Anscombe's omission raises eyebrows, particularly after he was brought back to lead during the autumn series. Gatland’s rationale focuses on the necessity of nurturing younger fly-halves for future competitions, stating, “We’ve spoken about 10 being the position to develop some depth... Will he be around? We need to develop some depth.” This perspective emphasizes the dual focus on immediate results versus long-term planning.

Critically, Gatland selected Ben Thomas, who has experience fulfilling the fly-half role yet remains untested on the Six Nations stage. Alongside him is uncapped Ospreys player Dan Edwards, who has impressed during the United Rugby Championship. Gatland's vision clearly aims to build depth and resilience as they assess their player pool moving forward.

The changing dynamics within Welsh rugby also reveal the mounting challenges, especially with the women's team facing their own set of struggles as they approach their own World Cup year. Reports hint at forthcoming staff changes under Gatland as they seek to revamp the coaching approach and invigorate the squad.

The looming encounter against France presents what could be one of the toughest challenges Wales can undertake. Though aware of the team's struggles, Gatland remains focused on creating momentum. “It is about momentum. You get some good results and you never know what can happen in this tournament,” he stated, underlining the significance of early victories.

Wales’ 34-man Six Nations squad features: Forwards Elliott Dee, Sam Parry, Evan Lloyd; Nicky Smith, Kemsley Mathias, Gareth Thomas, Keiron Assiratti, WillGriff John, and Henry Thomas, among others. The backs are bolstered by Tomos Williams, Rhodri Williams, Ellis Bevan; as well as the return of Liam Williams, Josh Adams, and potential game-changer Blair Murray.

With the clock ticking down to the tournament, Gatland's amalgamation of youth and experience is set against the backdrop of high expectations and the pressing need for results. The question looms whether this revised squad will rise to the occasion, not only to avert another disappointing performance but also to restore pride to Welsh rugby.