Six Nations 2024: Wales team profile

Injuries and doubts over the future of the domestic game has prompted pessimism for Wales ahead of this year's Six Nations.

Warren Gatland's side did well to top Pool D at the Rugby World Cup, edging Fiji and Australia. However, they fell short in their quarter-final against Argentina and have since waved goodbye to some key players, notably fly-half Dan Biggar, who has retired from internationals and NFL-bound wing Louis Rees-Zammit. 

The Kiwi coach has his work cut out but is imperious at developing a gameplan to suit his squad and will be using his team being written off as fuel to motivate his players.

Wales: 2024 Six Nations squad

Forwards

Corey Domachowski, Kemsley Mathias, Gareth Thomas, Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias, Evan Lloyd, Keiron Assiratti, Leon Brown, Archie Griffin, Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins, Will Rowlands, Teddy Williams, Taine Basham, James Botham, Alex Mann, Mackenzie Martin, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright.

Backs

Gareth Davies, Kieran Hardy, Tomos Williams, Sam Costelow, Cai Evans, Ioan Lloyd, Mason Grady, George North, Joe Roberts, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams, Rio Dyer, Tom Rogers, Cameron Winnett.

Wales: Head coach and captain

Head coach

Gatland returned ahead of last year's Six Nations, taking over from the man who had succeeded him, Wayne Pivac. 

The Kiwi is a master tactician and has form in moulding a collection of relatively unheralded youngsters into a formidable unit. 

Gatland's tactics and experience of fermenting a siege mentality have seen him branded rugby union's answer to Jose Mourinho - Wales fans will be hoping that his results do not tail off like the 'Special One's'.

Captain 

Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins made history by becoming the Chiefs' youngest-ever captain and the most junior in the history of the Premiership when he led the team out in November 2022, aged just 19 years and 342 days. 

He has since become a regular at club level and a vital part of the international side, despite holding just 12 caps. 

Standing in for the injured pair of Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake, who skippered the team at the World Cup, the Bridgend-born second row has inevitably been compared to national hero Alun Wyn Jones.

Wales: Key players

Adam Beard 

A British & Irish Lions tourist in 2021, Adam Beard has failed to progress as expected in recent years. However, with 51 caps, he provides valuable experience and with Jenkins focused on the captaincy, fellow lock Beard is likely to run the line-out. 

That knowhow means he is likely to start against Scotland and the youth running through Gatland's pack means players like himself and blockbuster back-row Aaron Wainwright will be crucial. 

Tommy Reffell 

Morgan's knee injury has not only opened up the captaincy to Jenkins but also allowed Tommy Reffell with a chance to get a clean run at the openside jersey. 

Another player from Bridgend, the 24-year-old was arguably his country's best player when he and Morgan were selected together in the defeat to Argentina and has only improved since returning from the Rugby World Cup. 

A key player for Leicester, he will now be looking to become similarly crucial at international level. 

Nick Tompkins

With George North an injury doubt, there will be further emphasis on fellow centre Nick Tompkins, who could be a key component in breaking the gain line if Gatland retreats to his infamous 'Warrenball' tactics. 

The Saracens star has matured into a key figure for both club and country, capable of carrying the ball, fizzing it wide and delivering crunching tackles on opponents. 

Tompkins has had to work hard to reach his current levels but looks to have Gatland's trust and, with uncertainty over who will play at fly-half, his and scrum-halves Gareth Davies and Tomos Williams' experience will be vital.

Wales: 2024 Six Nations expectations

Wales' opening game against Scotland could set the tone for the tournament: win that match and they head to Twickenham in round two eyeing an upset, but lose it and the final weekend's fixture against Italy already looks like a potential showdown for the Wooden Spoon. 

Despite their doubters, Gatland will tell his players they can win the title. Belief is a wonderful thing in sport but overall glory appears unrealistic. 

With injuries decimating an already limited player pool and the ongoing off-field uncertainty regarding the game's administration in Wales, a third-straight fifth-place finish might be the best Gatland's side can hope for.

Wales: Six Nations history

The last decade or so has been a rollercoaster for Welsh rugby, especially in the Six Nations.

They recovered from an opening defeat to Ireland to famously beat England on the final day to win the title in 2013 and then after a meandering run, beat France on the opening night, and memorably came from behind against England to take the Grand Slam in 2019.

Pivac won the title in 2021 but his side finished fifth either side of that triumph and having occupied the same position in the final standings in 2023, appear some way from where they were in Gatland's early reign.

Year	Position	Notable Achievements
2013	1st
2014	3rd
2015	3rd
2016	2nd
2017	5th
2018	2nd
2019	1st	Won Grand Slam
2020	5th
2021	1st
2022	5th
2023	5th

Wales: Form & odds

Wales are 11/10 to win their opening game against Scotland. The Scots are arguably the most settled of all the Six Nations sides, with limited changes since the World Cup. However, they have a habit of falling short of expectations and while they won last year's Six Nations meeting in Edinburgh 35-7, they have not triumphed in Cardiff since 2002. 

A victory could set Wales up for the Triple Crown at 28/1, potentially the outright at 25/1 and even the Grand Slam at 66/1. 

However, Wales were the lowest scorers in last year's Championship and defeat against Scotland will inevitably spark fears of the Wooden Spoon, available at 4/1.