Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Paul Abbandonato

Wales make sweeping changes for Ireland clash

Warren Gatland has made sweeping changes to his Wales team for Saturday's World Cup warm-up friendly with Ireland in Cardiff.

Only one  player who started the 13-6 Principality Stadium win over England last time out retains his place, back-rower James Davies.

There are debut call-ups for Cardiff Blues wing Owen Lane and fellow youngster Rhys Carre, the ex-Arms Park prop who has signed for European and English champions Saracens.

Gatland is also able to announce a welcome return to the fold for experienced centre Scott Williams, who has been out of action for seven months with a back injury.

Williams has not played a game of rugby since appearing for the Ospreys in a Challenge Cup clash against Worcester, but his comeback is a timely boost with the World Cup just around the corner.

Cardiff Blues fly-half Jarrod Evans makes a first Wales start, having previously had two outings from the bench.

Back-rower Josh Navidi will skipper the experimental looking team. Being handed the honour of the Wales captaincy is a fitting reward for his huge efforts and popularity within the squad. He becomes the 138th person to lead Wales.

Gatland said upon announcing his team: "It is a great opportunity for Rhys and Owen, they have worked hard all summer to get to this point so it will be good for them to get their first international caps and put their hands up for RWC selection after the match.

"For Josh, it’s a huge honour to be named captain, he has been hugely consistent for us, he has really impressed in the last couple of seasons and he will lead from the front. It is a great compliment for him to be awarded the captaincy.

"Saturday is a really big game for the players and I’m excited about the challenge for this Welsh team.  There is so much at stake in terms of RWC selection and with a number of positions still up for grabs it will be a huge game."

This will be the last opportunity for Welsh players to put their hands up for inclusion in Gatland's 31-man World Cup squad, which he will name on Sunday.

Wales then have a final warm-up against Ireland in Dublin, before heading out to Japan.

Wales: Hallam Amos; Owen Lane, Scott Williams, Owen Watkin, Steff Evans; Jarrod Evans, Aled Davies; Rhys Carre, Ryan Elias, Samson Lee, Adam Beard, Bradley Davies, Aaron Shingler, Josh Navidi (capt), James Davies.

Replacements:   Elliot Dee, Rob Evans, Leon Brown, Jake Ball, Ross Moriarty, Tomos Williams, Rhys Patchell, Jonah Holmes.

If you haven't already, be sure to like our Irish Mirror Sport and Irish Mirror GAA pages on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.                                                                                      

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.