Francis included in Welsh squad

By Mark Stevens

Tomas Francis has today been included in Warren Gatland’s Welsh squad ahead of the upcoming Six Nations Championship.

The Exeter Chiefs forward, who featured prominently for the Principality during last year’s Rugby World Cup, is one of three tight-heads in the 37-man squad alongside Aaron Jarvis and Samson Lee.

Francis, 23, who only made his international debut back in August against Ireland in a RWC warm-up game, has since gone on to win seven caps for his country.

Also included in the Welsh squad is former Exeter Chiefs winger Tom James, who has also been recalled to the senior ranks.

Cardiff Blues pair James and HJosh Turnbull last played for Wales in 2010 and 2014 respectively, though winger James was part of Wales' 2015 Rugby World Cup training squad before withdrawing through injury.

The experienced squad includes 31 players who featured for Wales in the 2015 Rugby World Cup and will be led by Wales' most experienced captain Sam Warburton. There is one uncapped player in Aled Davies of the Scarlets.

"We have selected a squad that rewards players form as well as picking a lot of experience and that continuity is important to us," said Gatland. "We have picked a larger squad than normal, we have a few injuries at the moment, those players aren't too far away from getting back on the field so we are happy with the mix.

"Aled (Davies) is someone who has been on the radar the last couple of years and his selection is reward for his form. Tom (James) is playing very well for the Blues and we have been impressed with Josh's (Turnbull) performances recently. It is always exciting when the Six Nations comes around and we are looking forward to meeting up next Monday."

Wales kick-off their 2016 campaign away to reigning champions Ireland on Sunday, February 7th before welcoming Scotland to Principality Stadium on Saturday, February 13th.

WALES' 2016 RBS 6 NATIONS SQUAD: (37 Players)

Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Paul James (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Dominic Day (Bath Rugby), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Josh Turnbull (Cardiff Blues), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt).

Backs: Aled Davies (Scarlets) *, Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues) Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Tom James (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Morgan (Bristol Rugby), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
* Denotes uncapped player