Warren Gatland, the Six Nations’ longest-serving head coach, insists he is still up for the challenge of reviving Welsh rugby fortunes after naming two uncapped players, the Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards and the Scarlets wing Ellis Mee, in a reshuffled 34‑man squad for the 2025 tournament which commences on 31 January.

Gatland has also dropped Gareth Anscombe, Rio Dyer, Cameron ­Winnett and Taine Plumtree, among others, in a bid to rediscover a winning blend after a grim 12 months during which Wales extended their losing run to 12 consecutive Tests and collected their first Six Nations wooden spoon for 21 years.

It prompted the Welsh Rugby Union to commission an independent review and the 61-year-old Gatland admitted he was among those wondering if the time had come to relinquish a role he first held in 2008. “I had some discussions with the family and spoke about the challenges. The questions I was ­asking myself were: ‘Was I at that stage where I needed the negativity in my life or do I just hang up my boots and go to the beach and enjoy myself?’”

Gatland, however, did not want to leave Wales in the lurch in mid-season and still feels he can make a difference. “I suppose when I looked at it I’ve thrived on challenges. I’ve thrived in the past when people have written us off and haven’t expected us to do well and we’ve done exceptionally well.

“I’m conscious and well aware that if things don’t improve then there’s likely to be a change from the union. I’ve been pretty straight up about it but for me it’s about rising to the challenge of making sure we go out there and perform well. ­Obviously this tournament is about winning. We can’t hide away from the fact we’ve got to go out there and give a real performance. That’s what we need to do as a group and as a coaching team as well.”

The return of three experienced Lions in Taulupe Faletau, Josh Adams and Liam Williams has bolstered Wales’s previously dimi­nished resources with the Ospreys hooker Sam Parry, the Sale prop ­WillGriff John, the Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins and the Scarlets centre Joe Roberts also back involved under the captaincy of Jac Morgan.

Injury, however, has ruled out Dewi Lake, Sam Costelow, Ryan Elias, Adam Beard, Ben Carter, Archie Griffin and Mason Grady and there is no place for Gloucester’s highly promising back Max Llewellyn as well as his clubmate Anscombe. The latter has been car­rying a knee injury but Gatland said the selectors were now looking to find a longer-term option at 10.

The 21-year-old Edwards is certainly an exciting prospect while Mee, who was playing for ­Nottingham last season and is ­eligible because his mother hails from Newport, has also been impressing for the Scarlets. Wales kick off their campaign against France in Paris on Friday 31 January.

• The former Scotland captain Peter Brown has died at the age of 83 after a long battle with cancer. Capped 27 times at second row and No 8, he was also adept at kicking, racking up 66 points for Scotland - a national record for a forward. Known as PC for his forenames, Peter Currie, he triumphed over England five times, including at Twickenham in 1971 when his late conversion snatched victory. He also won eight caps for the British and Irish Lions. “PC was great company and his passion for Scottish rugby and the game in general always shone brightly,” current Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said. “His exploits on the field have gone down in legend, being a key contributor in some Scotland famous wins during his international career.”