Josh Adams and Liam Williams return for Wales' Six Nations opener against France on Friday, while Evan Lloyd and Henry Thomas will make their first Test starts.

Warren Gatland's side launch their campaign at Stade de France, desperately trying to halt a record run of 12 successive Test defeats.

Adams has not appeared for Wales since last year's championship, while Williams last featured during the summer tour of Australia. However, Taulupe Faletau will miss out with a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Lloyd and Henry Thomas will appear from the start of a Test for the first time, as they join Gareth Thomas in the front row.

Jac Morgan captains the visitors, for whom Ben Thomas makes his Six Nations debut at fly-half.

From the bench, Dan Edwards could earn his senior international bow, while Nicky Smith is in line to win his 50th cap, and their could be maiden Six Nations appearances for Freddie Thomas and Blair Murray.

"We're excited for the challenge on Friday," Gatland said. "The Six Nations is the best rugby competition in the world. Every game is a big occasion. We want to go out there, embrace that and start our championship well."

𝗧𝗺 𝗖𝘆𝗺𝗿𝘂

Here is your Wales for our @SixNationsRugby opener@FranceRugby on Friday night at the Stade de France, 20:15 KO!#GuinnessM6N | #FRAvWAL

— Welsh Rugby Union(@WelshRugbyUnion) January 29, 2025

Meanwhile, Antoine Dupont skippers France as he returns to the Six Nations, having missed last year's championship to focus on sevens before the Paris Olympics.

He will partner Toulouse team-mate Romain Ntamack, who will make his first international appearance since suffering a serious knee injury on the eve of the 2023 World Cup 17 months ago.

Wales: Liam Williams; Tom Rogers, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams; Ben Thomas, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Evan Lloyd, Henry Thomas, Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins, James Botham, Jac Morgan, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Keiron Assiratti, Freddie Thomas, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Dan Edwards, Blair Murray.

France: Thomas Ramos; Theo Attissogbe, Pierre-Louis Barrassi, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Romaine Ntamack, Antoine Dupont; Jean-Baptiste Gros, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio; Alexandre Roumat, Emmanuel Meafou; Francois Cros, Paul Boudehent, Gregory Alldritt.

Replacements: Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille, Georges-Henri Colombe, Hugo Auradou, Mickael Guillard, Oscar Jegou, Nolann Le Garrec, Emilien Gailleton.