A large number of fringe players are hoping to press their Rugby World Cup claims when Ireland meet Wales in a much-anticipated Test match at the Millennium Stadium this afternoon (kick-off 2.30pm).
RUGBY WORLD CUP WARM-UP TEST: Saturday, August 8
WALES v IRELAND, Millennium Stadium, 2.30pm (live BBC One Wales/RTÉ Radio 1/IRFU Live Blog/highlights RTÉ Two (8pm)/Sky Sports 3 (9.30pm))
Team News: Jamie Heaslip will captain the selected Ireland team and is joined in the back row by Tommy O’Donnell and Jordi Murphy. The Naas man will also become Ireland’s most-capped back row player of all-time, eclipsing David Wallace’s record of 72 caps.
Donnacha Ryan makes his international return after an absence through injury of over two years and is partnered in the second row by Iain Henderson.
Mike Ross will win his 50th cap for Ireland on Saturday, linking up with his Leinster colleagues Richardt Strauss and Jack McGrath in the front row.
Eoin Reddan and Paddy Jackson make up the half-back pairing, while Keith Earls, also returning to the Ireland team after a two-year gap, pairs up with Darren Cave in the centre. The back-three consists of Fergus McFadden, Andrew Trimble and full-back Felix Jones.
Among the replacements are Rory Best, David Kilcoyne, Michael Bent, Dan Tuohy, Chris Henry, Kieran Marmion, Ian Madigan and Simon Zebo.
Meanwhile, Scott Williams will captain Wales against Ireland, leading a team that contains four uncapped players. 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.
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), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro); Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Dominic Day (Bath), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Dan Baker (Ospreys).
Replacements: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), James King (Ospreys), Toby Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Matthew Morgan (Bristol).
IRELAND: Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster); Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster); Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster), Eoin Reddan (Old Crescent/Leinster); Jack McGrath (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster), Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster), Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Tommy O’Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster), Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) (capt).
Replacements: Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster), Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster), Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster), Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster), Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht), Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster), Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster).
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Pascal Gauzère, Mathieu Raynal (both France)
Television Match Official: Graham Hughes (England)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Wales to win: 8/11; Draw: 20/1; Ireland to win: 11/10
Pre-Match Quotes: Jamie Heaslip (Ireland) – “It’s been a while since I’ve played with Donnacha (Ryan) or Earlsy (Keith Earls). Donnacha brings a really strong work ethic both on and off the field, I don’t think he gets much credit for work he does off the field especially.
“He’s a really good operator around the lineout but you know with him on your team you’re going to get a guy that hits 20 to 40-plus rucks in a game. There’s a very good chance he’ll be in double figures with carries as well.
“And he’s going to get the guts of double figures in tackles as well, he gets through a lot of work and covers a lot of distance for a second row. And he’s just a hard, abrasive man – he’s one of those guys that has the ability to injure his own players throughout the week, so that was probably a downside of seeing Donnacha back around the training paddock!
“It’s great to have him around and I know he’s really excited about it, the chance to wear green again, the same with Earlsy.
“Earlsy’s pace, his footwork, he’s one of these players that can break open a team with his ability to line break. He’s pretty electric on the ball so I’m excited to see him as well. There’s a lot of guys who are really looking forward to just kicking off the season again.”
Mike Phillips (Wales) – “It has been tough going at the training camps. It was nice to get through it all and things are going well, but as I’m getting older the training is getting harder. The coaches have done as much as they can to give us the chance to improve. It’s a great environment to be in and we are all looking forward to being involved at the weekend.
“There are no friendlies in rugby and everyone wants game-time and everyone knows how important this game is. We know we are going to have to impress on the field and that’s what the game against Ireland is all about.
“Some players are nailed on for the final World Cup squad, but I’m one of the ones who has to impress with Rhys Webb, Gareth Davies and Lloyd Williams all battling for (scrum half) places. The competition for places runs throughout the squad and the management have been making us all room with our biggest rivals at the training camps. It’s very healthy competition and that’s what drives you on as a player.”
Pre-Match Links –
Wales v Ireland Coverage Details
In Pics: Ireland Training At Carton House
Recent Meetings –
2013: RBS 6 Nations: Wales 22 Ireland 30, Millennium Stadium
2014: RBS 6 Nations: Ireland 26 Wales 3, Aviva Stadium
2015: RBS 6 Nations: Wales 23 Ireland 16, Aviva Stadium
Support Ireland on www.irishrugby.ie/facebook or search #ShouldertoShoulder or #WALvIRE on www.twitter.com/irishrugby.
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