Six nations: front rows Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas for First Wales begins for the opener in France | News of rugby
Prop Henry Thomas and Hooker Evan Lloyd were involved in their first test starts in Wales’s six nations that took over France in Paris on Friday.
Chief coach Warren Gatland caused a surprise in the appointment of such an inexperienced front order for the opener of the Tournament in Stade de France, and the 33-year-old dish was made by Thomas four stone for Wales 2023, while the 23-year-old Hooker, while the 23-year-old Hooker made a 23-year-old Hooker, while 23-year-old Hooker Lloyd got off the bench five times last year.
Thomas previously picked up seven test caps for England – all as a replacement – between 2013 and 2014, remodeling for the Wales 2023 after easily crossing the three -year standing period.
Gatland welcomes the experience of returning somewhere else in the form of Liam Williams, the center of Nick Tompkins and the wings Josh Adams.
Cardiff Center Ben Thomas again returned Muh Gatland, who played him last summer on number 10 on Australia tour, before he started him in the center against Fidija, Australia and South Africa in November.
Jac Morgan Captain is a flank of Openside Flanker in a rear-line unit formed with James Botham and Aaron Wainwright.
Otherwise, the second row and the previous captain Dafydd Jenkins return to the side after being injured with knee and shoulders, while the infamous fly is Dan Edwards among the replacements.
“We are excited about the challenge on Friday,” Gatland said. “Six nations in the best rugby competition in the world.
“Every game is a great opportunity. We want to go out there, embrace it and start our championship well.”
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Ben Thomas, 9 Tomos Williams; 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Evan Lloyd, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Will Rowlands, 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 6 James Botham, 7 Jac Morgan (C), 8 Aaron Wainwright
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Dan Edwards, 23 Blair Murray
Ntamack returns to France but Penaud is off due to injury
France will be without a flying wing Damian Penaud for their six peoples conflicts against Wales, adding a list of key players who are not available for the tournament opener in the Stade de France.
Penaud was expected to return to the team, but suffered an injury to his toes at training, which means that 20-year-old Theo Attinsbe will be lined up on the lap instead.
France is already without the Gael Fickoa Center, Lock Thibaud Flament and the relaxed striker of Charles Ollivon, and coach Fabien Galthie has made five changes from his last exit in November when they beat Argentina 37-23 in Paris.
Romain Ntamack returned to Fly-Pol, pushed by Thomas Ramos to the full back instead of Leo Barre. Pierre-Louis Barassa replaces Ficko in the middle of the field.
Former Captain Gregory Allritt returns to the back of the pack instead of Ollivon after falling in front of the victory over Argentina, while Alexandre Roumat in the second row of flames.
On the bench, Gashthie included Huga Auradou and Oscar Jegou, who made his debut to Argentina last year, but were then arrested for charges of rapes later rejected.
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Theo Attissogbe, 13 Pierre Louis Barassi, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (C); 1 Jean Baptiste Gros, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 3 HAPPY ATONIO, 4 Alexandre Roumat, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 6 Francois Cros, 7 Paul Boudehent, 8 Gregory Allritt
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Georges Henri Colombe, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Mickel Guillard, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Emilien Gailleton
Six Nations 2025: Fixments and schedule
Wales’s championship schedule:
- France – Stade de France – Friday, January 31 – 20.15 (GMT)
- Italy – Stadio Olimpico – Saturday, February 8 – 14.15 (GMT)
- Ireland – Principality Stadium – Saturday, February 24 – 24.15 (GMT)
- Scotland – Murrayfield – Saturday, March 8 – 16.45 (GMT)
- England – Principality Stadium – Saturday, March 15 – 16.45 (GMT)
