Warren Gatland has called Scarlets backrower Taine Plumtree into his Six Nations squad.
Wales have injury concerns in the back row after Taulupe Faletau put himself out of contention for the Six Nations opener against France with a knee injury, while Aaron Wainwright was forced off injured during the early exchanges of the 43-0 defeat with a suspected fractured cheekbone. Both players are injury doubts for Wales' Six Nations clash with Italy in Rome this Saturday but remain part of the squad.
Despite sustaining what looked like a serious knee injury, Ospreys centre Owen Watkin remains part of the squad as he continues to undergo assessment. Tighthead prop WillGriff John has also re-joined the squad in Nice after failing a HIA in Sale Sharks' English Premiership defeat to Bath eight days ago.
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Losing both Faletau and Wainwright would be a hammer blow to Wales' hopes of ending a barren run of 13 straight defeats. Plumtree was a shock omission from the original Six Nations squad having been involved throughout 2024.
The 24-year-old is an athletic forward who excels in the lineout and the wide channels but has been criticised for his lack of discipline at times.
But the Scarlets forward's versatility is also a huge plus point. Plumtree has joined the squad in Nice as they prepare for Saturday's must-win clash with Italy in Rome which is being billed as a likely wooden spoon decider.
