Chiefs duo named in Wales squad

By Mark Stevens
17/1/23

Exeter Chiefs duo Christ Tshiunza and Dafydd Jenkins have both been named in Warren Gatland's 37-player Wales squad for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations campaign.

Just over three years after stepping down from the role of head coach for Wales, Gatland is back in charge and ready to pick up from where he left off.

His first term as Wales’s coach lasted 12 years and 124 Tests, in which time the team won three grand slams, as well as another Six Nations title, and finished fourth at the 2011 and 2019 World Cups.

Now, he's ready to lead the Welsh into battle once more, including the young Chiefs pairing of Tshiunza and Jenkins, the latter of whom only made his Test debut last November against Georgia.

Ken Owens will captain the squad for the championship, whilst there are recalls to the squad for Wyn Jones, Dewi Lake and Liam Williams, all of whom missed the Autumn Nations Series due to injury. There are also recalls for Leon Brown, Rhys Carre, Rhys Patchell, Aaron Wainwright, Rhys Webb and Owen Williams.

Four uncapped players are selected. Rhys Davies, who was called into Wales camp during the autumn, features alongside Ospreys team mate Keiran Williams plus Cardiff Rugby duo Mason Grady and Teddy Williams. Another six players could be in line to make their first Six Nations appearance including Rio Dyer, Joe Hawkins and Jenkins.

Gatland said: “It’s probably a bigger squad than I’d 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's looking at the whole element for the squad and how we get the balance right, because that’s definitely going to be a challenge over the next ten months.

“There are some players that were unlucky they didn’t’ make the squad, so the message to them is keep working hard you’re not out of the picture."

Regarding the captaincy, Gatland added: “Ken’s incredibly experienced and a passionate Welshman – it means a lot to him to play for Wales. He’s also very popular with the players.

“He came back from injury and was absolutely outstanding during the autumn campaign. Probably, if you’re picking a team at the moment he’s the number one in that position. But he’s going to have some competition with Dewi and Bradley as well which is going to be great.”

The squad - which also includes former Chiefs Tomas Francis and Alex Cuthbert - will meet up at the national training base in Hensol on Monday, January 23 ahead of its first game against Ireland which will take place at a sold out Principality Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday, February 4 (2:15pm).

In addition, Jonathan Thomas is confirmed as the final appointment to the Wales senior men’s coaching team. He will have responsibility for the contact area.

Former Worcester Warriors head coach Thomas, who won 67 caps for Wales between 2003 and 2011, has most recently been working as a forwards consultant for Ealing Trailfinders. He also spent four years at Bristol Bears as defence and forwards coach, helping them achieve promotion to the Premiership and win the European Challenge Cup.

Thomas took up his coaching role at Bristol immediately after finishing his successful 14-year playing career where he represented Swansea, Ospreys and Worcester at club level. During his 67-cap international career, Thomas was involved in every Wales game during the 2005 and 2008 Grand-Slam winning campaigns. He went to two Rugby World Cups (2003 and 2007) and appeared in every Wales senior men’s Six Nations squad between 2004 and 2011.

Speaking about his appointment Thomas said: “I’m delighted and honoured to be part of the coaching team. As a passionate Welshman my dream and ambition growing up was to play for Wales. Since finishing playing and going into coaching my ambition has been to become part of the international coaching set up.

“Being successful and inspiring our great country is what it’s all about and I’m determined to support and help make a difference to the players and staff.”

WALES SQUAD FOR 2023 Guiness Six Nations

Forwards (20)

Rhys Carre (Cardiff Rugby 17 caps)
Wyn Jones (Scarlets – 45 caps)
Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 17 caps)
Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 8 caps)
Ken Owens (Scarlets – 86 caps, capt)
Bradley Roberts (Dragons – 3 caps)
Leon Brown (Dragons – 22 caps)
Tomas Francis (Ospreys – 67 caps)
Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 45 caps)
Adam Beard (Ospreys – 41 caps)
Rhys Davies (Ospreys – uncapped)
Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 1 cap)
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys – 155 caps)
Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby – uncapped)
Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 95 caps)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 6 caps)
Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 4 caps)
Justin Tipuric (Ospreys – 89 caps)
Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 3 caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 36 caps)

Backs (17)

Kieran Hardy (Scarlets – 16 caps)
Rhys Webb (Ospreys – 36 caps)
Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 40 caps)
Dan Biggar (Toulon – 103 caps)
Rhys Patchell (Scarlets – 21 caps)
Owen Williams (Ospreys – 3 caps)
Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby – uncapped)
Joe Hawkins (Ospreys – 1 cap)
George North (Ospreys – 109 caps)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 25 caps)
Keiran Williams (Ospreys – uncapped)
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 44 caps)
Alex Cuthbert (Ospreys – 55 caps)
Rio Dyer (Dragons – 3 caps)
Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets – 97 caps)
Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 22 caps)
Liam Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 81 caps)