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Wayne Pivac names his first Wales team
By Online Editors
Wayne Pivac has named his first Wales side to face the Barbarians in Cardiff on Saturday. Justin Tipuric will captain the XV taking on the famous Baa-Baas for the first time since 2012. It includes Scarlets wing Johnny McNicholl making his first appearance for Wales.
The forward line-up is made up of players who featured in the recent World Cup with Tipuric named in a back row alongside Aaron Shingler and Aaron Wainwright.
Jake Ball and Adam Beard feature in the second row with Wyn Jones, Ken Owens and Dillon Lewis named in the front row.
Cardiff Blues half-backs Tomos Williams and Jarrod Evans are named together with Hadleigh Parkes and Owen Watkin partnering in midfield. Uncapped McNicholl will line-up in a back three alongside Josh Adams and Leigh Halfpenny.
"This week has been hugely exciting and hugely important for us as a group," said Pivac. "It has been an opportunity for us as a new squad and management to get together and to set the scene for what the future holds.
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"There has been quite a lot of learnings for the squad this week, looking at what we are trying to do and us providing some clarity but we have also stressed the enjoyment factor of being together for the first time and the excitement of not only this weekend but the future.
"This weekend itself is really exciting. The Barbarians are what rugby is all about. It is the fun element of the game and supporters should be looking forward to some good old fashioned running rugby and it should be an entertaining afternoon.
"It is fantastic to have a double header at the Stadium with Wales women and it should be a great showcase of rugby.”
Elliot Dee, Rob Evans and Leon Brown provide the front row cover on the bench with Seb Davies and Ollie Griffiths completing the forward contingent. Gareth Davies, Sam Davies and Owen Lane provide the backline cover.
Wales (v Barbarians, Saturday)
Leigh Halfpenny; Johnny McNicholl, Owen Watkin, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Jarrod Evans, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Dillon Lewis, Jake Ball, Adam Beard, Aaron Shingler, Justin Tipuric (capt), Aaron Wainwright. Reps: Elliot Dee, Rob Evans, Leon Brown, Seb Davies, Ollie Griffiths, Gareth Davies, Sam Davies, Owen Lane.
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Latest Comments
Disagree.
The challenge for the All Blacks now that they have 7 of 8 starting forwards locked in and all but one bench forward (only one loose forward and bench loosie to settle on) is to sort out the starting backline as only 9 Roigard, 12 J. Barrett, 11 Clarke and 15 Jordan had good to outstanding seasons in 2024. All the other backs were inconsistent or poor and question marks going into 2025.
Go to commentshe should not be playing 12. He should be playing 10 and team managers should stop playing players out of position to accommodate libbok.
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