Six Nations 2017: Alun Wyn Jones named as Wales captain

Wales
Wales
rugby
Six Nations
Tuesday 17 January 2017 at 12:11pm

Credit: PA

Alun Wyn Jones will lead Wales during this years' Six Nations campaign, interim head coach Rob Howley has confirmed.

The lock takes over from Sam Warburton, after his six-year reign ended.

Howley has called up seven uncapped players in his 36 man squad. They include Wasps flanker Thomas Young and wing Ashton Hewitt.

Injured Keelan Giles misses out, while George North, Jamie Roberts and Taulupe Faletau are "wildcard" picks.

Under 'Gatland's Law,' only three players who play outside Wales can be picked.

Scarlets pair Gareth Davies and Aled Davies are included along with Rhys Webb.

Who are the new faces?

Thomas Young (Wasps)
Olly Cracknell (Ospreys)
Steff Evans (Scarlets)
Owen Williams (Leicetser)
Ashton Hewitt (Dragons)
Uncapped Aled Davies and Rory Thornton have featured in squads before.

I believe we have named an exciting and experienced squad for what is going to be a thrilling RBS 6 Nations Championship. It’s an honour to select Alun Wyn as captain. His vast experience, as a player and a leader will help drive this squad forward and I believe he will flourish in the role. “Sam (Warburton) has led Wales more times than any other captain and had great success in the role, however we want him to concentrate on his game and to be the best player he can be. We had conversations during and since the autumn with Sam, no player is guaranteed their place in an international team and we want Sam to be playing his very best rugby and he agrees this is the best way forward. There is a flavour of freshness too in the squad, with seven uncapped players deserving their opportunity and it will be exciting to see how they perform in the international set-up. It is shaping up to be another great Six Nations. We have the all important carrot of Rugby World Cup seedings on the horizon post tournament and that is an important target for us, especially as we welcome the World’s no2 (England) and no4 (Ireland) ranked sides to Principality Stadium over the coming months.

Wales will look to go one better in 2017, having finished runners-up to England in last years' competition.

The squad will meet up on Monday 23 January to begin preparations for this years' tournament.

You can watch Wales' opening 2017 Six Nations match against Italy live on ITV on Sunday 5 February from 2pm.

Howley will look to guide Wales to their first Six Nations title since 2013. Credit: PA

Wales' 2017 Six Nations squad in full:

Forwards: Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Ospreys), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Bath Rugby), Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Olly Cracknell (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby), Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues), Thomas Young (Wasps).

Backs: Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Aled Davies (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Sam Davies (Ospreys), Owen Williams (Leicester Tigers), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Ashton Hewitt (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Steffan Evans (Scarlets), George North (Northampton Saints), Liam Williams (Scarlets) Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon).