Lloyd and Thomas considered for first Wales starts

Men’s Six Nations: France v Wales

Venue: Stade de France Date: Friday, 31 January Kick-off: 20: 15 GMT

In Friday’s Six Nations opener against France, head coach Warren Gatland may give front-row duo Evan Lloyd and Henry Thomas first starts in Wales.

Wales also hopes to re-join former Welsh and Irish Lions players Taulupe Faletau, Liam Williams, and Josh Adams.

Elliot Dee and Sam Parry are both members of the squad, along with Cardiff hooker Lloyd, 23, who has made five international appearances since Dewi Lake and Ryan Elias.

Since switching allegiance from England in 2023, Scarlets tight-head prop Thomas, 33, has played four Tests for Wales as a replacement.

WillGriff John is out with injury, so Cardiff prop Keiron Assiratti and Ospreys tight-head Ben Warren are other options in the squad.

Archie Griffin, who has had shoulder surgery, was wearing the Wales number three jersey in the three autumn defeats.

Ben Thomas will start at fly-half, with center Nick Tompkins and center Owen Watkin in line to form an experienced midfield with Ospreys number 10 Dan Edwards who will make his starting debut off the bench.

Liam Williams could make a comeback against Josh Adams, who is currently in good form, at the 2016 Six Nations.

The World Cup back-row first-choice trio of Aaron Wainwright and captain Jac Morgan might reunite with a comeback for number eight Taulupe Faletau.

Wales hopes Wainwright, the Dragons’ back-rower, will ignore any concerns about injuries.

On Wednesday, Gatland will name his squad, which will feature significant changes from the team that lost 45-12 to South Africa in Cardiff in November 2024.