Warren Gatland goes for experience as he names his side to face Ireland in the Six Nations opener
Leigh Halfpenny has been recalled to the Wales starting team, with Warren Gatland naming an experienced side to face Ireland on Saturday.
he returning Kiwi brought his first team announcement forward by 48 hours to show his hand and there are a couple of surprises with the Scarlets full-back making his first start since the summer of 2021 ahead of Liam Williams.
He’s part of a back three that features Josh Adams and Dragons hot shot Rio Dyer, with Ospreys’ centre Joe Hawkins partnering George North in midfield.
The experienced Dan Biggar partners Tomos Williams at half-back, behind a pack that’s led by captain Ken Owens who joins Ospreys props Gareth Thomas and Tomas Francis.
Lions Adam Beard and Alun-Wyn Jones form the second-row partnership, with Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau forming a strong back-row.
“Ireland are the number one team in the world, so they’re going to be coming here with a lot of confidence,” Gatland said.
"You don’t become the number one team in the world without having some pretty consistent performances. We know how good they are and we’re expecting a really tough contest. It’s important for us that we start well, but we need to be in the game at the last 20 minutes.
“We’ve only had a couple of weeks together but I’m confident that the guys will go out and give a good account of themselves. They’re pretty excited about playing this first game at home.”
Wales senior men’s team to play Ireland in the Guinness Six Nations, Saturday 4 February KO 2.15pm GMT. Live: BBC and Virgin Media: L Halfpenny (Scarlets); J Adams (Cardiff), G North (Ospreys), J Hawkins (Ospreys), R Dyer (Dragons); D Biggar (Toulon), T Williams (Cardiff); G Thomas (Ospreys), K Owens (Scarlets, capt), T Francis (Ospreys), A Beard (Ospreys), A W Jones (Ospreys), J Morgan (Ospreys), J Tipuric (Ospreys), T Faletau (Cardiff).
Replacements: S Baldwin (Ospreys), R Carre (Cardiff), D Lewis (Cardiff), D Jenkins (Exeter), T Reffell (Leicester), R Webb (Ospreys), O Williams (Ospreys), A Cuthbert (Ospreys).
