Six Nations LIVE: Scotland call up England World Cup wing Ruaridh McConnochie to 40-man squad
Gregor Townsend is looking to build on Scotland’s autumn promise while Warren Gatland’s return means the beginning of a new chapter for Wales
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has named four uncapped players in his squad for the Six Nations Championship.
Ospreys centre Keiran Williams, Cardiff centre Mason Grady, Ospreys lock Rhys Davies and Cardiff second-row forward Teddy Williams have all been selected. Scarlets hooker Ken Owens has been appointed captain, being preferred to other candidates such as Justin Tipuric, Dan Biggar and Alun Wyn Jones.
Scotland have once again taken advantage of world rugby’s recent change in eligibility rules to include English cap Ruaridh McConnochie in their Six Nations squad.
In a similar move to the one that allowed Jack Dempsey to convert from Australia to Scotland earlier this season, Gregor Townsend has persuaded the 31-year-old Bath wing to pledge his allegiance to the nation of his father’s birth three and a half years after making two appearances – including one at the 2019 World Cup – for England.
There are three other uncapped players in Townsend’s 40-man squad.
Warren Gatland: ‘We are looking ahead to the World Cup'
Wales head coach Warren Gatland said of his selection: “It’s probably a bigger squad than I would normally name, but we want to have a good Six Nations and also look forward to the World Cup.
“We’ve some youngsters that have come in and then we’ve some older, very experienced players that we need to manage.
“It is looking at the whole element for the squad and how we get the balance right, because that is definitely going to be a challenge over the next 10 months.”
Louis Rees-Zammit selected despite ongoing ankle injury
There are recalls for 34-year-old Ospreys scrum-half Rhys Webb - who last played Test rugby in 2020 - Ospreys fly-half Owen Williams, Scarlets back Rhys Patchell, Cardiff prop Rhys Carre and Dragons back-row forward Aaron Wainwright.
Selection absentees include Ross Moriarty, Nicky Smith and Ryan Elias, while injuries have sidelined the likes of fly-half Gareth Anscombe and lock Will Rowlands.
But Gloucester wing Louis Rees-Zammit, who is currently out of action due to an ankle problem, has been picked.
BREAKING: Wales announce 37-man group
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has named four uncapped players in his squad for the Six Nations Championship.
Ospreys centre Keiran Williams, Cardiff centre Mason Grady, Ospreys lock Rhys Davies and Cardiff second-row forward Teddy Williams have all been selected.
The quartet are the only international rookies among a 37-man group, with Gatland’s second spell as Wales boss beginning against Ireland on February 4.
Scarlets hooker Ken Owens has been appointed captain, being preferred to other candidates such as Justin Tipuric, Dan Biggar and Alyn Wyn Jones.
Wales and Scotland announce Six Nations squads
The 2023 men’s Six Nations Championship is just around the corner, when Wales host Ireland and Scotland visit Twickenham for a Calcutta Cup showdown against England on the opening Saturday, 4 February.
Today, Wales and Scotland (scheduled for 2pm GMT) announce their 36-man squads for the campaign ahead.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments