Six Nations 2024: Dafydd Jenkins to lead Wales as Louis Rees-Zammit heads to NFL

Louis Rees-Zammit sensationally quit rugby to pursue an American football career on the day Wales announced their 34-man squad for the Six Nations.

The squad was due to be announced at 12:00 GMT but was delayed before the shock news of Rees-Zammit's departure.

Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins, 21, has been named captain with Warren Gatland selecting five uncapped players.

Wales open their campaign against Scotland at Principality Stadium, Cardiff, on Saturday, 3 February.

Cardiff quartet Cameron Winnett, Alex Mann, Mackenzie Martin and Evan Lloyd and Bath prop Archie Griffin are the new faces.

As expected, Cardiff-born Exeter wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is not included in the squad after representing Wales at age-grade level.

Feyi-Waboso told Wales he did not want to be considered for the 2024 Six Nations squad and he could be named in the England party on Wednesday.

Injured Cardiff number eight Taulupe Faletau has not been named in the squad and is expected to miss the tournament after suffering a calf injury. The 33-year-old had not figured since breaking his arm for Wales against Georgia in the World Cup in October 2023.

There is no room for World Cup trio Tomas Francis, Henry Thomas and Dillon Lewis, who all play club rugby outside Wales.

Francis has not retired from international rugby but Gatland explained they had a conversation about the Provence prop missing this tournament.

Gatland recalled Scarlets fly-half Ioan Lloyd, Cardiff back row James Botham and Ospreys centre Owen Watkin.

Wales squad for 2024 Six Nations

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.

'LRZ' shock

The shock news of Rees-Zammit's departure to join the NFL's international player pathway (IPP) was announced by his club side Gloucester on Tuesday, with Wales only learning of the move this morning.

"I learned it about an hour ago and spoke to Louis probably about half an hour ago," said Gatland.

"This was thrown to us [late]. Gloucester are in exactly the same boat as us. They'd only just gone to the board. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster in the last couple of hours.

"It's a little bit of a shock. Gloucester had contacted us and I spoke to George Skivington (Gloucester coach) about 12 noon. Things have happened pretty quickly in the last 24 hours.

"Louis said he had an approach on Sunday to go and do a training camp with the NFL. It's something he's always dreamed of having the opportunity to do.

"He slept on it on Monday and went to Gloucester, didn't really think too much of it in terms of whether it would go ahead. He was told by his lawyers not to tell anyone.

"The paperwork has been agreed and signed and Gloucester have agreed to release him in the last couple of hours."

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Gatland supported the decision of the 22-year-old who has scored 14 tries in 32 internationals.

"He rang me to let me know and give me that information, say thanks very much for his time at the World Cup and how he enjoyed it," said Gatland.

"He said he's 22, he's always dreamed of playing in the NFL. He feels if he doesn't take that opportunity now, it might not happen again in the future.

"I wished him all the best. I've always been a great believer in players taking those opportunities that are presented for them. I said if it doesn't work out, what are your next steps? He said he'd come back to rugby.

"He just feels there's an opportunity for him and a time to do that. There's never a dull moment in Welsh rugby.

"From my point of view, I want to wish Louis all the best. I honestly hope it all works out for him."

"Sometimes they get chances to move on. I've always been supportive of that. If that's been a dream of his, trying to make it in that environment, it's going to be something that if he doesn't take the opportunity, he'll always regret it."

Captaincy conundrum

Flanker Jac Morgan and hooker Dewi Lake were the 2023 World Cup co-captains, but have succumbed to injuries.

Morgan has had knee surgery, while Lake suffered a hamstring injury in the opening five minutes of the Ospreys' Challenge Cup win against Perpignan last weekend.

Gatland gave the role solely to Morgan for the uncapped match against Barbarians in November 2023.

Jenkins has been given the captaincy ahead of more senior players Adam Beard, Will Rowlands and Ryan Elias after impressing while leading Exeter in the Gallagher Premiership.

He is now in line to become the second youngest men's player to lead Wales in a match after Gareth Edwards captained his country aged 20 back in 1968.

"We've been incredibly impressed with Daf in terms of his professionalism and how he prepares," said Gatland.

"It's a great opportunity for Daf, he's captained Exeter on a number of occasions, he's a well-respected member of the squad.

"I rang and spoke to him and he was delighted to accept the role and I'm sure he'll do a great job."

Back-row concerns

Lake was playing out of position at flanker against Perpignan because of an Ospreys back row injury crisis and Wales are facing the same issue.

As well as Morgan's absence, Scarlets flanker Taine Plumtree has also been ruled out and Exeter's Christ Tshiunza is a doubt with a foot problem, while Faletau's return had initially been put on hold until February by his club Cardiff.

Scarlets flanker Josh Macleod was forced off with a knee injury in the 38-17 defeat at Clermont-Auvergne while Dan Lydiate 36, has not been selected.

Flanker Mann, 22 and number eight Martin, 20, have impressed for Cardiff, while there is a recall for fellow back-rower Botham.

Who will play 10 and 15?

Fly-half and full-back roles are up for grabs following the 2023 World Cup with the loss of established internationals.

Dan Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny retired after the 2023 World Cup, Liam Williams is unavailable after joining Kubota Spears in Japan, while Gareth Anscombe has returned after having had his contract cancelled by Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath.

Full-back Winnett, 21, has been in impressive form for Cardiff this season and this week signed a new long-term contract to stay at the Arms Park.

Winnett is set to miss the first couple of games of the tournament against Scotland and England because of a jaw problem.

Scarlets fly-half Costelow, 22, has had little rugby this season after suffering hamstring and shoulder injuries playing for Wales against Barbarians in November 2023.

Since the summer move from Bristol, Lloyd, 22, has been the regular starting 10 for Scarlets this season and has been in impressive form. He last played for Wales in 2020.

Dragons' Cai Evans has also been named in the squad and can play at fly-half or full-back, but there is no room for Bristol's Callum Sheedy.

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