Wales team v Ireland: Matt Sherratt starts Warren Gatland snubs while rookie flyer debuts as interim boss rings the changes
Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe and wing Ellis Mee.
Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt has rung the changes to his matchday squad for their Six Nations Test with Ireland at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
Sherratt has made 10 changes to his starting line-up – including two positional switches – and there are six alterations to his replacements bench after the Round Two defeat to Italy in Rome.
Scarlets flyer Ellis Mee has been named on the left wing for his Test debut and will become Wales‘ 1,211th men’s player to represent his country at international level.
Joining Mee in the backline are Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn, who were added to Wales’ squad earlier this week, and they make their first appearances of this year’s Six Nations at fly-half and centre respectively after being overlooked by former Wales boss Warren Gatland.
Two backline players after loss to Italy
Anscombe’s selection as the starting fly-half means Ben Thomas shifts to inside centre to partner Llewellyn in the midfield, while Blair Murray comes in at full-back for the injured Liam Williams with Tom Rogers (right wing) and Tomos Williams (scrum-half) the only players to retain their starting positions amongst the backs.
In the forwards, captain Jac Morgan shifts to the blindside flank, where he takes over from James Botham while Tommy Reffell takes his spot on the openside for his first start of the 2025 Championship. Taulupe Faletau completes the back-row as the starting number eight.
In the front-row Nicky Smith is selected at loosehead prop and makes his first start of this year’s Six Nations, as does Elliot Dee who is at hooker while WillGriff John is set to make his Six Nations debut on Saturday as the starting tighthead prop.
The starting line-up is completed by Will Rowlands and Dafydd Jenkins, who will pair up in the second-row.
Harlequins fly-half Jarrod Evans is named among the replacements and could make his first appearance for his country since summer 2021.
Evan Lloyd, Gareth Thomas, Henry Thomas, Teddy Williams and Aaron Wainwright will provide the forward cover while Rhodri Williams, and Joe Roberts are the other replacement backs.
Sherratt said: “We’re looking forward to the challenge of facing Ireland.
“We have spoken this week about being brave, but not reckless and making sure everyone knows their roles. We also know that keeping our discipline will be huge.
“Everyone is excited for our first home game of the Six Nations. The atmosphere Wales fans create at Principality Stadium is incredible and playing at home is something the players really look forward to.”
Wales team to face Ireland
Wales: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Ellis Mee, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taulupe Faletau , 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Jac Morgan (c), 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 WillGriff John, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Nicky Smith
Replacements: 16 Evan Lloyd, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 Aaron Wainwright, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Joe Roberts
Date: Saturday, February 22
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 14:15 GMT
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)