Wales squad update: Gatland calls up uncapped star
Today at 05:41 AM
Scarlets back-row Taine Plumtree has been drafted into the Wales squad as Aaron Wainwright continues his recovery from a facial injury sustained in Friday night’s Six Nations opener against France.
Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!
Meanwhile, Ospreys centre Owen Watkin remains under assessment after picking up a knee injury in the same match.
There's also a return to the squad for tighthead prop WillGriff John, who has linked up with the team in Nice as Wales prepare for their next fixture.
WALES SQUAD FOR 2025 SIX NATIONS
Forwards (21)
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 11 caps)
James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 17 caps)
Elliot Dee (Dragons – 52 caps)
Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 104 caps)
Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 20 caps)
WillGriff John (Sale Sharks – 2 caps)
Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby – 6 caps)
Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets – 5 caps)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 19 caps) captain
Sam Parry (Ospreys – 7 caps)
Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 7 caps)
Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 24 caps)
Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 37 caps)
Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 50 caps)
Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 36 caps)
Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby – 2 caps)
Henry Thomas (Scarlets – 5 caps)
Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 15 caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 53 caps)
Ben Warren (Ospreys – uncapped)
Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 2 caps)
Backs (15)
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 60 caps)
Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby – 6 caps)
Dan Edwards (Ospreys – 1 cap)
Josh Hathaway (Gloucester Rugby – 2 caps)
Eddie James (Scarlets – 3 caps)
Ellis Mee (Scarlets – uncapped)
Blair Murray (Scarlets – 4 caps)
Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 2 caps)
Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 6 caps)
Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 8 caps)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 39 caps)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 43 caps)
Liam Williams (Saracens – 93 caps)
Rhodri Williams (Dragons – 6 caps)
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 60 caps)
Warren Gatland's side will be looking to bounce back after their opening-round defeat, with Plumtree adding fresh options to the back-row battle.
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Six players who FLOPPED in Round One of the 2025 Six Nations
Wales endured a nightmare start in Paris, suffering a humiliating seven-try defeat to France, as Antoine Dupont ran the show on his return to the championship. Over at Murrayfield, Huw Jones stole the spotlight with a stylish hat-trick, helping Scotland edge past a spirited Italy side. Meanwhile, Ireland's title defence began with a comeback win over England, who at least salvaged a losing bonus point in Dublin.
With Round Two looming, we take a look at six players who flopped in the opening weekend.
#1. Ben Earl (England)
Mail Online 5/10: “Dropped restart after England’s early opener but one strong ruck clear-out showed his menace. Made way for Saracens team-mate Tom Willis.”
Rugby Pass 5/10: “The third openside in the England back row, he was eclipsed by what the Curry twins achieved and gone by the 56th minute. While a show of wheels helped lead to the penalty that got England 10-5 up just before the break, some rearguard work wasn't up to scratch. For instance, his soft knock-on at the 7-0 restart. There were also too many missed tackles.”
#2. Josh Adams (Wales)
RUCK 5/10: “Adams hit a milestone, running out for his 60th appearance for Wales. The 29-year-old is another player who has been a welcome return for Gatland's squad for this Championship. The Cardiff Rugby player is a scoring machine, having crossed the whitewash 21 times for 105 points. But he couldn’t make much of an impact as he never really got given the ball.”
Rugby Pass 3/10: “Huge shot on Pierre-Louis Barassi showed he was up for the fight, but that attitude boiled over at one point as he screamed at the referee. Was caught out of position by Dupont, who chipped over his head to set up Attissogbe's opening try. Found himself similarly exposed for Les Bleus' second try, but that was just a result of wave after wave of French pressure. Will be sick of the sight of Attissogbe's heels and backside.”
Wales Online 5/10: “The Cardiff wing got exposed defensively on a few occasions and missed an early tackle on his opposite number Théo Attissogbé which put Wales under severe pressure”
Planet Rugby 5/10: “Was given a bit of a torrid time on his wing, although it wasn't really his fault. Put in one big hit on defence but was then slightly embarrassed by Thomas Ramos for Louis Bielle-Biarrey's first try.”
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