Six Nations 2018: Josh Adams to make Wales debut v Scotland; Rhys Patchell starts

Josh Adams has had loan spells at England's National Two South side Cinderford and Championship club Nottingham while at Worcester

Worcester wing Josh Adams will make his Wales debut against Scotland as the 2018 Six Nations starts in Cardiff on Saturday.

Fly-half Rhys Patchell is one of 10 Scarlets in the starting XV, six of them in the backs with 22-year-old Adams the exception.

Dragons' Cory Hill joins captain Alun Wyn Jones at lock.

Josh Navidi, of Cardiff Blues, is at open-side with Gloucester's Ross Moriarty back at number eight.

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Navidi wears seven in the face of competition from Ospreys' Justin Tipuric and uncapped Scarlet James Davies.

Tipuric is on the bench where Blues' Gareth Anscombe is Patchell's back-up.

Adams' inclusion means no place for more experienced wings Alex Cuthbert, Liam Williams or George North, the latter having played only twice since October because of knee problems.

North also withdrew from Northampton's team before they took on Sale in the Anglo-Welsh Cup last Saturday.

Saracens' Williams has also been struggling with an abdominal injury, while Hallam Amos has not played since Boxing Day for Dragons against Cardiff Blues.

Gatland said the advantage Adams had over wing rivals was having "played more rugby" recently with Steff Evans named on the other wing.

North will be released to play for Saints as they host Harlequins in the Anglo-Welsh Cup on Friday with Gatland saying: "He needs more rugby."

Adams top try-scorer in Premiership

Adams left Scarlets' academy in 2015 to join Worcester's development squad and has been in outstanding try-scoring form this season with 13 tries.

Gatland said: "We have been watching Josh [Adams] closely, he is top try-scorer in the English Premiership and has been going well and we are excited for him.

"Both Rhys [Patchell] and Gareth [Anscombe] have been training really well over the last couple of weeks. It was a tough call between them. Rhys has started most of his games for the Scarlets at 10, we are really happy with his form and the combination with Gareth [Davies] at nine.

"We know what a quality player Ross [Moriarty] is, it's great he is back and available and we are looking forward to seeing his explosive ball-carrying on Saturday.

"For this opening game, we looked at a lot of combinations, especially the front row. It is exciting to see Samson [Lee] back playing well and the familiarity of the Scarlets front row will be important."

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets); Josh Adams (Worcester), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Steff Evans (Scarlets); Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Cory Hill (Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, capt), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester).

Replacements: Elliot Dee (Dragons), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Bradley Davies (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Aled Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Owen Watkin (Ospreys).