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Wales name team for Ireland
By Online Editors
Warren Gatland has named an unchanged team as Wales seek to clinch a third Grand Slam during the New Zealander’s 12-season reign.
Saturday’s title finale against Ireland is Gatland’s 50th Six Nations match for Wales and his side go into the game as the only unbeaten team in the tournament with four victories to their name.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones will equal Welshman Gethin Jenkins’ total Test appearance record as he moves to 134 test caps (125 Wales, 9 British & Irish Lions) and to joint fifth in the overall world test appearance list.
Jones again packs down with Adam Beard in the second row, with Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis continuing together in the front row. Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty comprise the backrow.
Gareth Davies and Gareth Anscombe are named at half-backs with Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies in the centre. Josh Adams, George North and Liam Williams once again comprise the back three for Wales.
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“We’ve named an unchanged squad and rewarded the players for the last couple of outings and the last couple of victories,’ explained Gatland, who will step down from his position at the end of the World Cup in Japan.
“These players are on a very good run, they are a hugely impressive group and they deserve to be going into the final weekend with everything to play for.
“It is a great reward for them for the hard work they have put in and we are all looking forward of what is going to be a huge game.
“For a number of us as coaches this is our last Six Nations game and that fact it is in Cardiff is extra special. There is bound to be a bit of emotion on Saturday and that is something to embrace.”
Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith and Dillon Lewis provide the front row cover on the bench with Jake Ball and Aaron Wainwright completing the forward contingent. Aled Davies, Dan Biggar and Owen Watkin provide the backline cover.
WALES TEAM (versus Ireland)
15. Liam Williams (55 Caps)
14. George North (82 Caps)
13. Jonathan Davies (72 Caps)
12. Hadleigh Parkes (14 Caps)
11. Josh Adams (10 Caps)
10. Gareth Anscombe (25 Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (40 Caps)
1. Rob Evans (34 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (63 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (39 aps)
4. Adam Beard (12 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Capt) (124 Caps)
6. Josh Navidi (15 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (63 Caps)
8. Ross Moriarty (30 Caps)
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Elliot Dee (17 Caps)
17. Nicky Smith (27 Caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (11 Caps)
19. Jake Ball (31 Caps)
20. Aaron Wainwright (7 Caps)
21. Aled Davies (15 Caps)
22. Dan Biggar (69 Caps)
23. Owen Watkin (12 Caps)
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Go to comments“I made the point that, comparatively, any men’s test player shy of 6’4” and 17.5st will struggle as a modern 8.”
and yet Earl hasn’t struggled! Lets just go round in circles, shall we?
“Historically the current 6Nations campaign in a lions tour year does tend to be impactful. It’s not a stretch to assume the squad is largely selected with the back-end of the domestic season left to confirm certain players, injuries aside.”
Farrell will select more players from the better teams. He won’t select on the basis of individual win rates, which is the claim you made that you are now walking back.
“For example, Marcus Smith had a very decent 2023 at #10”
Did he? He might have had some good club games but he made absolutely zero impact in test rugby, hence why he ended the year firmly third choice behind Ford and Farrell.
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