Five Cardiff Rugby stars have been name in the Wales squad to kick-off the Guinness Six Nations against France on Friday night. 

Josh Adams, Ben Thomas, James Botham and Evan Lloyd all start the encounter at Stade de France, with Keiron Assiratti named on the bench. 

Wales begin their campaign against Les Bleus before travelling to face Italy in Rome in Round Two. 

Gatland welcome Adams, Liam Williams and Dafydd Jenkins back to the Wales starting XV at wing, fullback and in the second row respectively.

Captain Jac Morgan starts at openside flanker. He is joined in the back row by Botham (blindside flanker) and Aaron Wainwright (no. 8). Will Rowlands partners Jenkins in the second row.

In the Wales front row Lloyd is named at hooker for his first Test start. Henry Thomas is selected at tighthead prop to also make his first start and his first Wales appearance since Rugby World Cup 2023. Gareth Thomas is at loosehead.

Tomos Williams starts at scrum-half. Ben Thomas, making his Six Nations debut, is at fly-half.

Owen Watkin lines up alongside Nick Tompkins in the midfield and Tom Rogers, named at wing, completes the starting line-up.

Among the Wales replacements, Nicky Smith is in line to win his 50th cap on Friday, while fly-half Dan Edwards would make his senior Wales debut.

Freddie Thomas and Blair Murray are in line to make their first Six Nations appearances having won their first senior international caps in the Autumn Nations Series.

Elliot Dee (hooker) and Assiratti (tighthead prop) join Smith as front row cover.

Tommy Reffell is the other replacement forward and Rhodri Williams covers scrum-half.

Gatland said: “We’re excited for the challenge on Friday. The Six Nations in the best rugby competition in the world. Every game is a big occasion. We want to go out there, embrace that and start our championship well.”

15. Liam Williams (Saracens / Saraseniaid – 92 caps)
14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 5 caps)
13. Nick Tompkins (Saracens / Saraseniaid – 38 caps)
12. Owen Watkin (Ospreys / Gweilch – 42 caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 59 caps)
10. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 7 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 59 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys / Gweilch – 35 caps)
2. Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 5 caps)
3. Henry Thomas (Scarlets – 4 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 36 caps)
5. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 19 caps)
6. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 16 caps)
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys / Gweilch – 18 caps) – captain/capten
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons / Dreigiau – 52 caps)

Replacements / Eilyddion

16. Elliot Dee (Dragons / Dreigiau – 51 caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 49 caps)
18. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 10 caps)
19. Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 1 cap)
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 23 caps)
21. Rhodri Williams (Dragons / Dreigiau – 5 caps)
22. Dan Edwards (Ospreys / Gweilch – uncapped / heb gap)
23. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 3 caps)