CARDIFF – Hooker Ken Owens has been named as captain of Wales for the Six Nations as returning head coach Warren Gatland included 4 uncapped gamers in his expanded 37-man choice on Tuesday.
Gatland’s belief in Owens, 36, is a disappointment for former skippers lock Alun Wyn Jones and flyhalf Dan Biggar, who've each been chosen within the squad however not requested to guide the workforce.
“Ken’s extremely skilled and a passionate Welshman – it means loads to him to play for Wales. He’s additionally highly regarded with the gamers,” Gatland stated in a Welsh Rugby media launch.
Wyn Jones, Dewi Lake and Liam Williams return from accidents that noticed them miss the autumn internationals, whereas lock Rhys Davies, centre Keiran Williams, wing Mason Grady and utility ahead Teddy Williams are the uncapped gamers within the squad.
There are additionally recollects for Leon Brown, Rhys Carre, Rhys Patchell, Aaron Wainwright, Rhys Webb and Owen Williams.
“It’s in all probability an even bigger squad than I’d usually identify, however we need to have a great Six Nations and likewise sit up for the (2023) World Cup,” Gatland stated.
“We’ve some children which have are available in after which we’ve some older very skilled gamers that we have to handle.
“It’s wanting on the complete component for the squad and the way we get the steadiness proper, as a result of that’s undoubtedly going to be a problem over the following 10 months.”
Wales open their Six Nations marketing campaign at residence to Eire on Feb. 4.
Gatland is again as head coach following the axing of Wayne Pivac final month. Wales misplaced 9 of their 12 checks in 2022.
He beforehand coached Wales for a 12-year interval as much as the 2019 World Cup, successful 4 Six Nations titles in that point.
Squad:
Forwards (20)
Rhys Carre (Cardiff Rugby 17 caps)
Wyn Jones (Scarlets – 45 caps)
Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 17 caps)
Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 8 caps)
Ken Owens (Scarlets – 86 caps), Captain
Bradley Roberts (Dragons – 3 caps)
Leon Brown (Dragons – 22 caps)
Tomas Francis (Ospreys – 67 caps)
Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 45 caps)
Adam Beard (Ospreys – 41 caps)
Rhys Davies (Ospreys – uncapped)
Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 1 cap)
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys – 155 caps)
Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby – uncapped)
Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 95 caps)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 6 caps)
Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 4 caps)
Justin Tipuric (Ospreys – 89 caps)
Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 3 caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 36 caps)
Backs (17)
Kieran Hardy (Scarlets – 16 caps)
Rhys Webb (Ospreys – 36 caps)
Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 40 caps)
Dan Biggar (Toulon – 103 caps)
Rhys Patchell (Scarlets – 21 caps)
Owen Williams (Ospreys – 3 caps)
Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby – uncapped)
Joe Hawkins (Ospreys – 1 cap)
George North (Ospreys – 109 caps)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 25 caps)
Keiran Williams (Ospreys – uncapped)
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 44 caps)
Alex Cuthbert (Ospreys – 55 caps)
Rio Dyer (Dragons – 3 caps)
Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets – 97 caps)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 22)
Liam Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 81)
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