Wales Give Debuts To Carre And Lane
Big winger Owen Lane runs in a try for Cardiff Blues against the Isuzu Southern Kings during last season's GUINNESS PRO14 campaign ©INPHO/Simon King
Wales have included two uncapped players to face Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm), with prop Rhys Carre and winger Owen Lane both set to make their international debuts. Match tickets can be purchased purchased here.
Carre and Lane, who played in the same Wales Under-18 and Under-20 teams together, will feature for Wales for the first time in a side captained by Cardiff Blues back rower Josh Navidi.
Carre will pack down in the front row alongside Scarlets pair Ryan Elias and Samson Lee. Ospreys duo Adam Beard and Bradley Davies form the second row partnership, while Aaron Shingler and James Davies join Navidi in the loose forwards.
Cardiff’s Jarrod Evans makes his first start for Wales and links up with Aled Davies at half-back. Scott Williams and Owen Watkin combine in the centre with Lane, Steff Evans and Hallam Amos lining out together in the back-three.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland, who retains only flanker James Davies from the team that defeated England 13-6, said: “It’s 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 World Cup selection.
“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 of Saturday. It is a great compliment for him to be awarded the captaincy.
“Saturday is a really big game for the players and I’m really excited about the challenge for this Welsh team. There is so much at stake in terms of World Cup selection. With a number of positions still up for grabs, it will be a huge game.”
WALES Team & Replacements (v Ireland, Rugby World Cup Warm-Up Match, Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Saturday, August 31, kick-off 2.30pm):
Player/Club/Caps –
15. Hallam Amos (Cardiff Blues) 19
14. Owen Lane (Cardiff Blues) *
13. Scott Williams (Ospreys) 57
12. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) 15
11. Steff Evans (Scarlets) 12
10. Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Blues) 2
9. Aled Davies (Ospreys) 18
1. Rhys Carre (Saracens) *
2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets) 7
3. Samson Lee (Scarlets) 40
4. Adam Beard (Ospreys) 14
5. Bradley Davies (Ospreys) 64
6. Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) 19
7. James Davies (Scarlets) 4
8. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues) (capt) 17
Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) 20
17. Rob Evans (Scarlets) 35
18. Leon Brown (Dragons) 5
19. Jake Ball (Scarlets) 34
20. Ross Moriarty (Dragons) 33
21. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues) 7
22. Rhys Patchell (Scarlets) 11
23. Jonah Holmes (Leicester Tigers) 2
* Denotes uncapped player