WARREN GATLAND HAS named an experimental side to face Ireland in the first of this year’s World Cup warm-up games.
The sides meet in Cardiff Saturday in the first of two tests against each other over the coming weeks, and Wales head coach Gatland has given plenty of inexperienced players the opportunity to impress at the Millennium Stadium.
Four uncapped players are in the starting side, with Scarlets centre Scott Williams starting as captain on his 30th appearance for his country.
Richard Hibbard gets the nod at hooker, with Aaron Jarvis and Nicky Smith either side in the front row.
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In the second row, Jake Ball is joined by the uncapped Dominic Day of Bath, while in the backrow, Justin Tipuric starts alongside Dan Baker at number 8 and former England u20 Ross Moriarty, who is making his debut.
21-year-old Moriarty will be a familiar face to Irish rugby fans, after his red card for this spear tackle on Ireland’s Luke McGrath in the u20 Six Nations in 2013.
In the backline, Hallam Amos gets his second cap at full-back, and he’s joined in the back three by wingers Alex Cuthbert and new cap Eli Walker of the Ospreys.
Scott William captains the side from first centre, with another new cap, Tyler Morgan outside him.
The half-backs bring plenty of experience to the side though, with Mike Phillips and James Hook linking up.
There are two further uncapped players named amongst the replacements in Cardiff Blues duo Kristian Dacey and Gareth Anscombe. They are joined on the bench by regional team-mates Scott Andrews and Lloyd Williams. Rob Evans, James King and Taulupe Faletau complete the forwards with Matthew Morgan completing the back replacements.
Ireland are expected to name their side on Thursday.
Wales: Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons); Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Scott Williams (Scarlets, capt), Eli Walker (Ospreys); James Hook (Gloucester Rugby), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro); Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Dominic Day (Bath Rugby), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, vice-capt), Dan Baker (Ospreys).
Replacements: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), James King (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Morgan (Bristol Rugby).
Former England u20 flanker to make Wales debut v Ireland on Saturday
WARREN GATLAND HAS named an experimental side to face Ireland in the first of this year’s World Cup warm-up games.
The sides meet in Cardiff Saturday in the first of two tests against each other over the coming weeks, and Wales head coach Gatland has given plenty of inexperienced players the opportunity to impress at the Millennium Stadium.
Four uncapped players are in the starting side, with Scarlets centre Scott Williams starting as captain on his 30th appearance for his country.
Richard Hibbard gets the nod at hooker, with Aaron Jarvis and Nicky Smith either side in the front row.
In the second row, Jake Ball is joined by the uncapped Dominic Day of Bath, while in the backrow, Justin Tipuric starts alongside Dan Baker at number 8 and former England u20 Ross Moriarty, who is making his debut.
21-year-old Moriarty will be a familiar face to Irish rugby fans, after his red card for this spear tackle on Ireland’s Luke McGrath in the u20 Six Nations in 2013.
In the backline, Hallam Amos gets his second cap at full-back, and he’s joined in the back three by wingers Alex Cuthbert and new cap Eli Walker of the Ospreys.
Scott William captains the side from first centre, with another new cap, Tyler Morgan outside him.
The half-backs bring plenty of experience to the side though, with Mike Phillips and James Hook linking up.
There are two further uncapped players named amongst the replacements in Cardiff Blues duo Kristian Dacey and Gareth Anscombe. They are joined on the bench by regional team-mates Scott Andrews and Lloyd Williams. Rob Evans, James King and Taulupe Faletau complete the forwards with Matthew Morgan completing the back replacements.
Ireland are expected to name their side on Thursday.
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