Wales trio set to reach milestones

Colin Newboult
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Wales will kick off the Autumn Nations Cup against Ireland on Friday evening with prop Tomas Francis winning his 50th cap and captain Alun Wyn Jones making his 150th Test appearance.

Francis packs down again alongside Rhys Carre and Ryan Elias in the front-row with Will Rowlands and Jones continuing their partnership in the second-row.

Justin Tipuric returns

Justin Tipuric returns to the starting line-up after recovering from tonsillitis and features alongside Shane Lewis-Hughes and Taulupe Faletau.

Wales have named an unchanged backline with Gareth Davies and Dan Biggar at half-back, with Owen Watkin and Jonathan Davies partnering in the midfield. Josh Adams, Liam Williams and Leigh Halfpenny are named in the back three.

“Friday night is the start of a new international season and a new campaign and we are looking forward to getting out there and showing what we can do,” said Wales head coach Wayne Pivac.

“We have got four matches in the Autumn Nations Cup to perform and we are excited to be kicking the tournament off.”

On the bench Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones and Samson Lee provide the front-row cover with Jake Ball and Aaron Wainwright completing the forward contingent. Uncapped fly-half Callum Sheedy is named in the matchday squad for the first time.

Sheedy is joined on the bench by Lloyd Williams and George North, the latter in line for his 100th test appearance if he takes to the field.

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 Elliot Dee, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Aaron Wainwright, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Callum Sheedy, 23 George North

Date: Friday, November 13
Venue: Aviva Stadium
Kick-off: 19:00 GMT
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referees: Pascal Gauzere (France), Alex Ruiz (France)
TMO: Romain Poite (France)

 

Internationals