Yahoo Sports Lloyd and Thomas considered for first Wales starts
Men's Six Nations: France v Wales
Venue: Stade de France Date: Friday, 31 January Kick-off: 20:15 GMT
Coverage: Listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC 5 Live; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app; watch on S4C.
Head coach Warren Gatland is considering giving first Wales starts to front-row duo Evan Lloyd and Henry Thomas in Friday's Six Nations opener against France.
Wales also hope to welcome back experienced British and Irish Lions trio Josh Adams, Liam Williams and Taulupe Faletau.
Cardiff hooker Lloyd, 23, has made five international replacements appearances and could fill the role left by the injured Dewi Lake and Ryan Elias, with Elliot Dee and Sam Parry also in the squad.
Scarlets tight-head prop Thomas, 33, has played four Tests for Wales as a replacement since he changed allegiance from England in 2023.
Thomas has experience of facing French sides having played for Castres and Montpellier.
Cardiff prop Keiron Assiratti and Ospreys tight-head Ben Warren are other options in the squad with WillGriff John unavailable because of injury.
Bath's Archie Griffin wore the Wales number three jersey in the three autumn defeats but has been ruled out because of shoulder surgery.
Ben Thomas is expected to be named at fly-half with centres Nick Tompkins and Owen Watkin in line to form an experienced midfield with uncapped Ospreys number 10 Dan Edwards in line to make his debut from the bench.
Liam Williams missed last year's Six Nations but could return to bolster the back three alongside in form Josh Adams.
A comeback for number eight Taulupe Faletau could see the World Cup back-row first-choice trio of Aaron Wainwright and captain Jac Morgan reunited.
Wales will hope Dragons back-row Wainwright will shrug off any injury concerns.
Gatland will name his squad on Wednesday which is set to show major changes from the starting side that lost 45-12 to South Africa in Cardiff in November 2024.
Wales have lost a record 12 Tests in a row with the last international victory coming against Georgia in the World Cup in October 2023.
