A former Ysgol Maes y Gwendreth pupil has been backed by his coach to start for Wales.

Tom Rogers – who also played for Tumble RFC – was chosen by head coach Warren Gatland for the 34-man Wales squad for the 2024 Guinness Six Nations earlier this week.

The back – who has been playing on the wing for his Scarlets region this season but whose favourite position is fullback – is one of eight Scarlets to be included in the squad.

In his pre-match press conference ahead of the Scarlets’ ECPR Challenge Cup Clash against Edinburgh on Friday night, Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said he would back 25-year-old Rogers if he was given the chance to earn his fourth Wales cap with a start against Scotland in the opening game.

Peel said: “I back them [Rogers alongside fellow Scarlet Ioan Lloyd] fully.

“Tom’s played a bit at 15 for us this year and in all honesty, he probably played more on the wing, but we’ve had a few injuries etc, and Johnny McNicholl’s been out for a couple of weeks now so it’s about finding what’s best for the team in terms of Tommy.

“I know he wants to play 15. He’s desperately wanting to play 15, knocking on my door wanting to play 15, but at the minute he’s been playing on the wing a bit for us and getting hands on the ball out there.

“I’ll back both of those guys, if any of them get selected, to produce the goods definitely.”

Wales kick off their 2024 Guinness Six Nations championship against Scotland in a sold-out clash at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday, February 3 (kick-off 4.45pm).

They then face England away at Twickenham at 4.45pm on Saturday, February 10.

On Saturday, February 24, Wales will face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin at 2.15pm, before two home games at the Principality Stadium against France (Sunday, March 10, 3pm) and Italy (Saturday, March 16, 2.15pm). Tickets are available for the France and Italy games at www.wru.wales/tickets.