Gatland calls on Adams to wing in for Wales

WALES chief Warren Gatland has described Josh Adams’s Six Nations squad call-up as “a great opportunity” for the Worcester wing.

Swansea-born Adams and Scarlets flanker James Davies are the two uncapped players named by the Welsh Rugby Union in a 39-man group.

Adams, 22, is the top try-scorer in this season’s Premiership with nine touchdowns, and he was recently watched at Sixways by Wales assistant coach Rob Howley.

“For Josh, it’s a great opportunity,” said Wales head coach Gatland.

“He’s been in great form, and the back three is somewhere we are looking to create depth in.”

Davies is rewarded for consistently impressive form in Scarlets colours.

Davies, brother of Wales and British and Irish Lions centre Jonathan Davies, was part of Great Britain’s rugby sevens medal-winning squad at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“It is an exciting opportunity for the two new caps,” added Gatland. “James’ form over the last couple of years has been impressive. He is in a competitive area, but we look forward to seeing what he can do.”

The squad also includes the likes of Northampton wing George North and Bath No 8 Taulupe Faletau, who are both sidelined through injury.

Wales kick-off their campaign against Scotland in Cardiff on February 3.

Uncapped Edinburgh prop Murray McCallum has been included in Scotland’s squad.

The 21-year-old has won a call-up amid a selection crisis in Gregor Townsend’s front-row which sees Fraser Brown miss out through injury.

Full-back Stuart Hogg is in the squad despite an ongoing hip problem.

Scotland’s problems in the front-row also see uncapped Glasgow prop D’Arcy Rae included and Jon Welsh and Scott Lawson recalled following several years out.

Full-back Blair Kinghorn and scrum-half Nathan Fowles complete a quartet of uncapped players in the 40-man pool and Greig Laidlaw, Richie Gray and Mark Bennett are included after missing the autumn series through injury.