Head coach Wayne Pivac announces his 36-man squad with three new faces
BRITISH and Irish Lions fly-half Dan Biggar will captain Wales at the Six Nations for the first time.
Biggar fills in for permanent skipper Alun Wyn Jones who is missing with a shoulder injury. Second row Adam Beard will act as his vice-captain.
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac was full of praise for his new captain.
“With the experience missing we wanted someone who had experienced the competition on a number of occasions and knows the rigours of it. Dan gives us that – he has 95 Wales caps and he’s toured with the British and Irish Lions,” said Pivac.
“Dan has the respect of the other players and management so we think he’ll do a great job.”
Wales are also without fellow Lions’ Taulupe Faletau, Josh Navidi, Ken Owens, George North, Justin Tipuric and Leigh Halfpenny.
Jac Morgan is amongst three uncapped players receiving a call up after impressing for Ospreys this season, averaging 17 tackles a match. With fellow Ospreys teammate Dewi Lake and Cardiff forward James Ratti making up the trio.
In-form Cardiff winger Owen Lane surprisingly misses out on Wayne Pivac’s 36-man squad.
Following last week’s news announcement that fans can return to watch Wales in Cardiff, Pivac said: “We have the most incredible fans and the atmosphere they create is second to none. I know the players cannot wait to get back out and put in a performance for them.”
The squad will meet up at the national training base in Hensol on Monday, 24 January with Wales beginning the defence of their Six Nations title in Dublin against Ireland on Saturday, 5 February (KO 2.15pm).
