Ospreys flanker Jac Morgan will captain the side.
Josh Adams, Elliot Dee, Taulupe Faletau, Dafydd Jenkins, Joe Roberts and Liam Williams return having missed the Autumn Nations Series due to injury.
Two uncapped players are selected among the 19 forwards and 15 backs named today: Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards and Scarlets wing Ellis Mee.
Another eight players are in line to make their first Six Nations appearance, including Ellis Bevan, Josh Hathaway, Eddie James, Blair Murray and Freddie Thomas who all made their international debuts in 2024.
There are also recalls for tighthead prop WillGriff John and hooker Sam Parry in a Wales squad that has an average age of 26.
Gatland said: “We’ve selected a squad that we feel has a good blend of exciting young talent and experience.
“This group of players has a huge amount of potential and we will be working incredibly hard together this campaign. The Six Nations is a special competition full of passion and some great rivalries and we have a good challenge to start the Championship away in France.
“I’m excited for our campaign to kick off next week and we’re looking to hit the ground running when the squad convenes. Every single training session is incredibly important in terms of our preparation for that first game and I’ll be looking to see a lot of hard work and everyone working together.
“As ever there are going to be some very disappointed players who have missed out on selection. The message to them is keep working hard because you never know what may happen.”
The 2025 Guinness Six Nations Championship officially opens on Friday 31 January as Wales face France away in Paris. This is followed by a trip to Rome to play Italy the following Saturday.
Wales then face Ireland in round three, their first home fixture of the Championship. Two weeks’ later Wales travel to Edinburgh for a match against Scotland, before concluding the 2025 edition of the competition at home at Principality Stadium against England on Saturday 15 March.
WALES SQUAD FOR 2025 GUINNESS SIX NATIONS
Forwards (19)
Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 10 caps)
James Botham (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 16 caps)
Elliot Dee (Dragons – 51 caps)
Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 104 caps)
Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 19 caps)
WillGriff John (Sale Sharks – 2 caps)
Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets – 5 caps)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 15 caps)
Sam Parry (Ospreys – 7 caps)
Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 23 caps)
Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 36 caps)
Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 49 caps)
Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 35 caps)
Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby – 1 cap)
Henry Thomas (Scarlets – 4 caps)
Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 15 caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 52 caps)
Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 2 caps)
Backs (15)
Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 59 caps)
Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby – 6 caps)
Dan Edwards (Ospreys / Gweilch – uncapped)
Josh Hathaway (Gloucester Rugby – 2 caps)
Eddie James (Scarlets – 3 caps)
Ellis Mee (Scarlets – uncapped)
Blair Murray (Scarlets – 3 caps)
Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 2 caps)
Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 5 caps)
Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 7 caps)
Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 38 caps)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 42 caps)
Liam Williams (Saracens – 92 caps)
Rhodri Williams (Dragons – 5 caps)
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 59 caps)
