[ad_1]
Louis Rees-Zammit scored five tries for Wales during the Rugby World Cup but is quitting for the NFL
(PA Wire)
The 2024 edition of the Six Nations is just around the corner and, ahead of the tournament getting underway at the start of February, the countries will be naming their squads for the opening matches.
The first Six Nations after a Rugby World Cup always offers hope of a new beginning and coaches often have more willingness to experiment and inject new blood into the group, making the squad announcements even more fascinating than usual.
France will have to replace the best player in the world, Antoine Dupont, as he focuses on sevens for next summer’s Olympics, while Ireland, England and Wales have all lost their long-term, iconic fly-halves since the World Cup with Johnny Sexton, Owen Farrell and Dan Biggar all either retiring or taking a break from international rugby. Throw in a new coach for Italy in the form of Gonzalo Quesada and the 2024 Six Nations promises to look very different to last year’s edition.
Wales kick off the squad announcements this afternoon, as Warren Gatland deals with both an exodus of Welsh experience through retirement (Biggar, Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Liam Williams et al) and an injury crisis that means it’s currently unclear who will even captain the side with World Cup co-skippers Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake both out.
Scotland will also name their squad today and arguably have the most continuity of any of the sides, with their coaching staff and the majority of their squad from the World Cup still in place – potentially offering a golden opportunity to win the Six Nations for the first time. The talismanic Finn Russell will be pulling the strings from fly half but a disappointing group-stage exit at last year’s global showpiece in France still casts a long shadow.
Follow live coverage of the squad announcements below:
Wales Six Nations squad
OK, Wales have now named their squad for the Six Nations and Louis Rees-Zammit is unsurprisingly not among the group, given that stunning bit of news
Forwards: Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Corey Domachowski (Cardiff), Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Evan Lloyd* (Cardiff), Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff), Archie Griffin* (Bath), Leon Brown (Dragons), Will Rowlands (Racing 92), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Dafydd Jenkins (captain, Exeter), Teddy Williams (Cardiff), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers), Alex Mann* (Cardiff), James Botham (Cardiff), Mackenzie Martin* (Cardiff), Taine Basham (Dragons).
Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Tomos Williams (Cardiff), Kieran Hardy (Scarlets), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Ioan Lloyd (Scarlets), Cai Evans (Dragons), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), George North (Ospreys), Mason Grady (Cardiff), Joe Roberts (Scarlets), Josh Adams (Cardiff), Rio Dyer (Dragons), Cameron Winnett* (Cardiff), Tom Rogers (Scarlets).
Luke Baker16 January 2024 13:02
Louis Rees-Zammit to quit rugby for the NFL
Wow! Fair to say this is a bombshell and we may have just found out why the Wales squad naming has been delayed…
Wales, Gloucester and Lions star winger Louis Rees-Zammit is quitting rugby to pursue his NFL dream! Fair to say no one saw this coming…
Luke Baker16 January 2024 12:43
Will Immanuel Feyi-Waboso get a call?
Another name on everybody’s lips in terms of Wales squad speculation ahead of the Six Nations has been Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. The 21-year-old winger has been in electric form for a resurgent Exeter this season, lighting up the Gallagher Premiership and Champions Cup.
He’s played his age-grade rugby for Wales but is also England-qualified and apparently has opted to switch to England at senior level.
It’s complicated as, if he did represent Wales at senior level, he would have to leave the Chiefs and move to a Welsh club when his current contract expires as he won’t pass the 25-cap eligibility criteria to be allowed to play outside the country and represent the national side. But in addition to his professional rugby career he’s also studying medicine at Exeter University and doesn’t want to give up his studies.
So it seems Warren Gatland’s loss may be Stever Borthwick’s gain.
(PA)
Luke Baker16 January 2024 12:24
Wales to announce squad imminently
A slight delay to the Wales squad announcement that was expected at 12pm but it should arrive imminently. Warren Gatland will then speak to the world’s media from around 1pm – and there’ll be plenty to talk about.
Luke Baker16 January 2024 12:11
Which uncapped players could be given a call-up?
Uncapped Cardiff trio Cam Winnett, Liam Belcher and Mackenzie Martin have their admirers, with selection speculation also having focused on back-row pair Rhys Ruddock and Cameron Hanekom.
Ruddock, son of former Wales head coach Mike Ruddock, won 27 caps for Ireland but he has not represented them since mid-February 2021.
The 33-year-old, who has a Welsh-born father and grandparents, would qualify for Wales after their opening Six Nations games against Scotland and England. World Rugby rules allow a player to switch countries as long as a minimum of three years have elapsed since their last international appearance, and they are suitably qualified to represent any new nation.
Uncapped South African Hanekom, who is 12 years Ruddock’s junior, has a Welsh grandparent. He has produced outstanding form for the Pretoria-based Bulls in the Champions Cup and United Rugby Championship.
Asked about any link with Wales over the weekend, Bulls head coach Jake White said: “I’ve spoken to him about it. I think his grandmother is Welsh. He has been playing really well. He is a talent. At this point, I would think it is highly unlikely that he has had any contact (with Wales) because I think he would have told me.”
Rhy Ruddock has 27 caps for Ireland but could switch allegiance to Wales
(AFP via Getty Images)
Luke Baker16 January 2024 12:03
What are Wales’s injury troubles?
Dewi Lake’s injury adds to a casualty count that also includes the likes of Taulupe Faletau, Christ Tshiunza, Taine Plumtree and Nicky Smith.
No 8 Faletau has not played since breaking his arm during the World Cup and Exeter forward Tshiunza recently suffered a setback during his recovery from a broken foot. Latest estimates on Faletau are that he could return to action some time next month.
Prop Smith and hooker Elliot Dee have also had injury issues, while Bristol fly-half Callum Sheedy, who has been tipped for a squad recall, is currently sidelined due to a knee problem.
Four players who were part of Gatland’s World Cup squad will not be involved, with Dan Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny having retired from Test rugby, Liam Williams now being based in Japan and Gareth Anscombe injured.
And centre Johnny Williams is facing a ban after he was sent off during the Scarlets’ Challenge Cup defeat against Clermont Auvergne.
Taulupe Faletau is one of many injuries
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker16 January 2024 12:00
Who will be Wales captain?
Injuries and a new captain look set to take centre stage when Wales boss Warren Gatland names his Six Nations squad shortly.
Dynamic flanker Jac Morgan, who led Wales impressively during the World Cup in France, could miss the whole tournament due to a knee injury.
His World Cup co-captain Dewi Lake, meanwhile, went off injured during Ospreys’ European Challenge Cup victory over Perpignan.
Captaincy contenders would potentially include Lake, Adam Beard, flanker Tommy Reffell and Beard’s fellow lock Dafydd Jenkins, who has led Exeter impressively on domestic and European fronts this season.
Jac Morgan led Wales at the World Cup but is now injured
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker16 January 2024 11:58
When are the Six Nations squad announcements?
Wales are leading things off in terms of Six Nations squad announcements, with Warren Gatland due to name his party at 12pm GMT. The head coach is then scheduled to give a press conference answering questions about his picks from 1pm.
Scotland will also name their squad today although the fairly nebulous ‘afternoon’ is all we know in terms of timings.
Steve Borthwick will announce the England group at Twickenham tomorrow morning at 10am GMT, by the way.
Luke Baker16 January 2024 11:56
Six Nations squad announcements
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the first Six Nations squad announcements.
Wales and Scotland will kick us off this afternoon, with Wareen Gatland set to go first with his Welsh group at 12pm GMT.
Stick with us for full coverage
Luke Baker16 January 2024 11:47
[ad_2]
Source link