Wales name team for England fixture

February 23, 2023
1522
Ultimate Rugby

Wales senior men’s head coach Warren Gatland has named the team to play England at a sold-out Principality Stadium on Saturday 25 February (KO 4.45pm live on BBC and S4C) in the third round of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.

Mason Grady will make his senior international debut on the weekend. He partners Joe Hawkins in the Wales midfield.

Joining captain Ken Owens in the front row are Gareth Thomas (loose-head prop) and Tomas Francis (tight-head prop).

Alun Wyn Jones is named alongside Adam Beard in the second row.

In the back row, Christ Tshiunza makes his second consecutive start at blind-side flanker, Justin Tipuric is open-side flanker and Taulupe Faletau starts at No.8.

Owen Williams is named at fly half, with Tomos Williams at scrum half.

Louis Rees-Zammit returns from injury to take a place on the wing. Josh Adams (wing) and Leigh Halfpenny (full back) complete the Wales back three.

Bradley Roberts, Rhys Carre and Dillon Lewis provide the Wales front row cover. Dafydd Jenkins and Tommy Reffell are the other forwards selected in the match day 23.

Kieran Hardy, Dan Biggar and Nick Tompkins are the Wales replacement backs

15. Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets – 97 caps)

14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 46 caps)

13. Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby – uncapped)

12. Joe Hawkins (Ospreys – 3 caps)

11. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 22 caps)

10. Owen Williams (Ospreys – 4 caps)

9. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 42 caps)

1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 18 caps)

2. Ken Owens (Scarlets – 88 caps) captain

3. Tomas Francis (Ospreys – 68 caps)

4. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 43 caps)