Alun Wyn Jones to break Test appearance record

David Skippers

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones will become rugby’s most capped international when he makes his 149th Test appearance – 140th for Wales plus nine British & Irish Lions caps – against Scotland at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.

Jones levelled the record last weekend but will take the honour for himself in this re-arranged Six Nations finale.

Test debutant

At the other end of the international spectrum, Cardiff Blues back-row Shane Lewis-Hughes will make his first Test appearance for Wales in a back-row alongside experienced Lions duo Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau.

Will Rowlands, fresh from the Premiership Final with Wasps, comes into the side to make his first start for Wales and he packs down alongside captain Jones.

European champion and Premiership winner Tomas Francis comes into the front-row alongside Rhys Carre and Ryan Elias.

In the backline, Gareth Davies partners Dan Biggar with Owen Watkin coming into the midfield alongside Jonathan Davies.

Liam Williams returns to the back-three to feature alongside Josh Adams and Leigh Halfpenny.

On the bench Sam Parry, Wyn Jones and Dillon Lewis provide the front-row replacements with Cory Hill and James Davies completing the forward contingent. Lloyd Williams comes straight into the matchday squad and provides backline cover along with Rhys Patchell and Nick Tompkins.

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Liam Williams, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Rhys Carre
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Cory Hill, 20 James Davies, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Nick Tompkins

Date: Saturday, October 31
Venue: Parc y Scarlets
Kick-off: 14:15 GMT
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Mathieu Raynal (France), Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)

 

Internationals