Scarlets prop Henry Thomas will make his first Wales start in the team to play France in the opening match of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations at Stade de France, Paris on Friday (KO 20.15h GMT, live on ITV and S4C).
Thomas is joined by Scarlets team-mate Tom Rogers in the starting XV, with Blair Murray named among the replacements.
Josh Adams, Liam Williams and Dafydd Jenkins return to the Wales starting XV at wing, full-back and in the second row respectively.
Captain Jac Morgan starts at openside flanker. He is joined in the back row by James Botham (blindside flanker) and Aaron Wainwright (no. 8).
Will Rowlands partners Jenkins in the second row.
In the Wales front row Evan Lloyd is named at hooker for his first Test start. Thomas is selected at tighthead prop for his first Wales appearance since Rugby World Cup 2023. Gareth Thomas is at loose-head.
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.
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 Murray are in line to make their first Six Nations appearances having won their first senior international caps in the Autumn Nations Series.
Wales coach Warren 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.”
Wales team to play France | Tîm Cymru v Ffrainc
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)