Wales name new-look team to face England a day early as Jac Morgan appointed captain

Jac Morgan will captain Wales for their first Rugby World Cup warm-up Test against England this Saturday, with three new caps in the starting XV.

Warren Gatland has named a youthful side, with Cardiff props Corey Domachowski and Kieron Assiratti handed their first caps while Gloucester-bound centre Max Llewellyn will also make his debut. There are a further two new caps among the replacements in former England tighthead Henry Thomas and new Scarlets signing Taine Plumtree.

Leigh Halfpenny will win his 100th cap for Wales, having made his debut against South Africa back in 2008.

Gatland has also opted to select young Scarlets playmaker Sam Costelow in the No. 10 jersey with the experienced Gareth Davies at scrum-half.

Ospreys star Morgan starts at openside flanker and is named captain of the senior side for the first time, having previously captained Wales U20s. Joining Morgan in the back row are Christ Tshiunza (blindside flanker) and Aaron Wainwright (No. 8).

Dafydd Jenkins and Will Rowlands pair up together in the second row. Rowlands makes his first Wales appearance since injury last autumn, as does Ryan Elias who returns to the starting line up at hooker.

Rio Dyer and Louis Rees-Zammit complete the starting line-up on the wings, with George North partnering Llewellyn in midfield.

Gatland said: "We’ve named Jac as captain for this match and it is a great honour for him to be leading his country. We’ll be looking at probably having a different captain for each of the matches as we give as many as possible in the squad an opportunity to impress, but also mindful about potential combinations as we get closer to naming the World Cup squad.

“I’ve been really pleased with the players’ effort and commitment in Turkey, Switzerland and the mini camps in Wales prior, but now it’s about putting what we’ve been training into practice. We’re excited to get out on pitch at Principality Stadium this Saturday – it’s always so special playing at home in front of our amazing fans.

“There is some great competition among the squad in all positions and we’ve selected a team this week with a few debutants, because we want to give them the opportunity to see what they can do. There’s a lot to play for over the next three matches and everyone is still in contention to make that final squad for France."

This is the first of three warm-up Tests before Wales kick-off their World Cup campaign against Fiji on September 10. Wales play England in their second warm-up at Twickenham on Saturday, August 12, and then host defending world champions South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday, August 19.

Wales: 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. Louis Rees-Zammit, 13. George North, 12. Max Llewellyn, 11. Rio Dyer, 10. Sam Costelow, 9. Gareth Davies, 1. Corey Domachowski, 2. Ryan Elias, 3. Keiron Assiratti, 4. Dafydd Jenkins, 5. Will Rowlands, 6. Christ Tshiunza, 7. Jac Morgan (capt), 8. Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: 16. Elliot Dee, 17. Nicky Smith, 18. Henry Thomas, 19. Ben Carter, 20. Taine Plumtree, 21. Tomos Williams, 22. Dan Biggar, 23. Mason Grady.