Centre Williams To Lead Wales Against Ireland

Scott Williams will captain Wales against Ireland in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup warm-up game in Cardiff, leading a team that contains four uncapped players.

Scott Williams, the Scarlets centre, will become Wales’ 131st captain on his 30th Test appearance and will be joined in the centre by the uncapped Tyler Morgan. Eli Walker, Dominic Day and Ross Moriarty will also earn their first Test caps as part of the starting line-up.

Welsh head coach Warren Gatland has named a blend of youth and experience for his side’s first warm-up fixture ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

Hallam Amos will win his second cap at full-back and will join Alex Cuthbert and Walker in the back-three. There is huge experience at half-back with James Hook lining up alongside Mike Phillips who will make his 94th appearance for his country.

In the front row Ospreys props Nicky Smith and Aaron Jarvis are joined by their former regional team-mate Richard Hibbard.

Bath clubman Day will feature for the first time in the second row, packing down alongside Jake Ball of the Scarlets. Gloucester’s Moriarty is joined in the back row by vice-captain Justin Tipuric and Ospreys number 8 Dan Baker.

After intense training camps in Switzerland and Doha, Gatland is looking forward to seeing his charges take to the Millennium Stadium pitch on Saturday and grasping their opportunity.

“Saturday is a real opportunity for these players to put their hand up. We have been really impressed over the last few weeks, we have put the players under a lot of pressure and they have responded really well,” he said

“This is their opportunity to show what they can do on the international stage. We have the right blend of youth and experience and it’s all about grasping the chance at this level.

“It’s going to be a huge occasion, Ireland coming to town, a packed Millennium Stadium and players with everything to play for.”

There are two further uncapped players named among the replacements in Cardiff Blues duo Kristian Dacey and Gareth Anscombe. They are joined on the bench by their regional team-mates Scott Andrews and Lloyd Williams. Rob Evans, James King and Toby Faletau complete the forwards with Matthew Morgan completing the back replacements.

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WALES Team & Replacements (v Ireland, Rugby World Cup Warm-Up Match, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Saturday, August 8, kick-off 2.30pm):

15. Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons)
14. Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues)
13. Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons) *
12. Scott Williams (Scarlets) (capt)
11. Eli Walker (Ospreys) *
10. James Hook (Gloucester)
9. Mike Phillips (Racing Metro)
1. Nicky Smith (Ospreys)
2. Richard Hibbard (Gloucester)
3. Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys)
4. Jake Ball (Scarlets)
5. Dominic Day (Bath) *
6. Ross Moriarty (Gloucester) *
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
8. Dan Baker (Ospreys)

Replacements:

16. Rob Evans (Scarlets)
17. Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues) *
18. Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues)
19. James King (Ospreys)
20. Toby Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons)
21. Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues)
22. Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) *
23. Matthew Morgan (Bristol)

* Denotes uncapped player