Dragons RFC players Aaron Wainwright, Elliot Dee and Rhodri Williams have all been selected as part of Wales head coach Warren Gatland’s side to play France in the opening match of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations on Friday.
Wainwright is named at eight alongside captain Jac Morgan and James Botham in the backrow, meanwhile Dee and Williams will look to make an impact from the bench.
Elsewhere, Tomos Williams partners Ben Thomas at half-back with former Dragon Nick Tompkins lining up alongside Owen Watkin in the centres.
The back three sees Tom Rogers line up on the wing alongside British and Irish Lions Josh Adams and Liam Williams.
In the Wales front row, Evan Lloyd is named at hooker for his first Test start, while Henry Thomas is selected at tighthead prop with Gareth Thomas on the other side of the scrum.
Former Dragons lock Will Rowlands lines up at second row alongside Dafydd Jenkins.
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 Blair Murray are in line to make their first Six Nations appearances having won their first senior international caps in the Autumn Nations Series.
Keiron Assiratti, joins Smith and Dee as front row cover. Tommy Reffell is the other replacement forward.
“We’re excited for the challenge on Friday,” said Gatland. “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.”
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Llongyfarchiadau i chwaraewyr y Dreigiau, Aaron Wainwright, Rhodri Williams ac Elliot Dee sydd wedi eu dewis yng ngharfan Cymru i wynebu Ffrainc nos Wener.
Bydd Wainwright yn dechrau yng nghrys rhif wyth gyda Dee a Williams yn edrych i ddangos eu doniau o’r fainc.
Yn ogystal â Wainwright yw capten Cymru Jac Morgan a James Botham yn y rheng ôl gyda Freddie Thomas a Dafydd Jenkins yn yr ail reng.
Bydd Henry a Gareth Thomas yn y rheng flaen, y naill ochr i Evan Lloyd.
Yn y cefnwyr, bydd Tomos Williams yn bartner ar faswr Cymru Ben Thomas gyda Nick Tompkins ac Owen Watkin yn chwarae ochr wrth ochr yn y canol.
Mae’r Llewod Josh Adams a Liam Williams yn dechrau yn y tri ôl gyda Tom Rogers ar yr asgell arall.
Ar y fainc bydd Nicky Smith yn ennill ei 50fed cap os caiff ei alw o’r fainc – tra gall y maswr Dan Edwards ennill ei gap cyntaf dros ei wlad.
Wedi i Freddie Thomas a Blair Murray gynrychioli Cymru am y tro cyntaf yn erbyn Awstralia yng Nghyfres yr Hydref y llynedd, fe fyddant yn cael eu profiad cyntaf o chwarae yn y Bencampwriaeth os down nhw i’r maes yn y Stade de France nos Wener.
Keiron Assiratti sy’n ymuno gyda Smith a Dee fel eilyddion y rheng flaen. Tommy Reffell yw’r blaenwr arall sy’n dechrau ar y fainc.
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)
Every game is a big occasion. We want to go out there, embrace that and start our championship well.
