Jarrod Evans and Rhys Patchell set for squad ‘shootout’

Adam Kyriacou

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has challenged his players to cement their places in his World Cup squad against Ireland on Saturday.

Gatland, who has made wholesale changes to his XV for the game in Cardiff, will name his 31-man squad on Sunday for the Japan showpiece.

He admits that he hasn’t yet settled on the 31 players he will be taking to the tournament, revealing there are several positions up for grabs.

“There’s a number of positions still up for grabs: front-row, second-row, back-row, back three, the 10 position,” he told the WRU website.

“The players are still pretty well aware of how important this game is and the opportunity they get to put their hands up for selection on Sunday.

“Jarrod gets an opportunity, we know a little bit more about Rhys Patchell, so the pressure is on him [Evans] and he understands that fully. It’s about getting out, starting a game and controlling a game.

“Rhys will get the second half and it’s about him coming on and making an impression. The two of them are pretty aware that they’ll get the chance on Saturday and it’s probably a shootout between the two of them.

“Owen Lane has continued to improve and impress. Both Owen and Rhys Carré have fitted in well and hopefully they make the most of their opportunity.”

With Gatland leaving the head coach position after the World Cup, Saturday’s fixture will be his last in front of the Principality Stadium.

“It’ll be quite emotional,” the New Zealander revealed ahead of their penultimate game before the tournament.

“I’ve had an unbelievable time here in Wales, the people have made my time incredibly special. I’m trying to keep it in perspective.

“It’s something I’ll be thinking about but it’s not about me. There are 31 players getting selected on Sunday and I have to make sure the performance and the job of picking the squad is incredibly important.

“There’s no way that I want to overshadow what is probably more important for those individuals than me having my last game in the stadium. I’ll just have a personal reflection and look back on how memorable it’s been without making a big fuss about it.”

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