Breakthrough Gloucester wing Louis Rees-Zammit is among the five uncapped players in the 38-man Wales squad for the upcoming Six Nations.

The 18-year-old Rees-Zammitt has starred for Gloucester this season, scoring nine tries in 12 appearances for the English Premiership side.

The youngster is not the only England-based player in the squad as Saracens centre Nick Tompkins, who qualifies to play for Wales through his grandmother, has also been named.

The other uncapped players are New Zealand-born Scarlets back Johnny McNicholl, prop WillGriff John and lock Will Rowlands.

Meanwhile, there is a welcome recall for experienced No 8 Taulupe Faletau, who missed the 2019 World Cup through a broken collarbone.

Scrumhalf Rhys Webb, who was recently axed from Toulon, has also been recalled to the squad after announcing he will return to Wales to join Ospreys next season.

Wales open their Six Nations campaign against Italy on Saturday, 1 February before travelling to face Ireland seven days later. The squad meet up on Monday, 20 January.

Wales squad for 2020 Six Nations

Forwards: Rhys Carre (Saracens), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Leon Brown (Dragons), WillGriff John (Sale), Dillon Lewis (Blues), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Seb Davies (Blues), Alun Wyn Jones (c; Ospreys), Will Rowlands (Wasps), Cory Hill (Dragons), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Taulupe Faletau (Bath), Ross Moriarty (Dragons), Josh Navidi (Blues), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys).

Backs:Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Toulon), Tomos Williams (Blues), Dan Biggar (Northampton), Owen Williams (Gloucester), Jarrod Evans (Blues), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), George North (Ospreys), Josh Adams (Blues), Owen Lane (Blues), Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets), Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester), Jonah Holmes (Leicester Tigers), Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets), Liam Williams (Saracens).

Photo: Getty Images