Matt Sherratt’s Wales Make Nine Changes for Ireland Clash
Cardiff, Wales: New Wales coach Matt Sherratt has made nine changes to his side for Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Ireland at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
The most notable inclusion is English-born Scarlets winger Ellis Mee, who will make his international debut after just 10 appearances for the Welsh region since joining from Nottingham last year.
The entire front row has been changed, with Nicky Smith and Will Griff John starting at prop and Elliot Dee at hooker.
Fly-half Gareth Anscombe, who was recalled to the squad this week, will start at 10, while Max Llewellyn and Ben Thomas form a new center partnership. Dafydd Jenkins, who was ill and withdrawn from the starting XV before kick-off against Italy, returns at lock.
Quins scrum-half Jarrod Evans will start on the bench and could win his first cap since 2021. Both Anscombe and Evans were overlooked by Gatland for the tournament, but they are now back in the mix.
"We are looking forward to the challenge of facing Ireland," said coach Matt Sherratt. "We have spoken this week about being brave, but not reckless, and ensuring that everyone knows their roles. We also know that discipline will be key. Everyone is excited to play our first home game of the tournament. The atmosphere generated by the Welsh supporters at the Principality Stadium is incredible, and the players are looking forward to performing back at home."
Wales suffered their 14th consecutive defeat in the Six Nations when they went down 22-15 to Italy last Saturday. The loss dropped Wales below Georgia into 12th place in the world rankings, their worst-ever position. The Dragons’ last victory came over a year ago, when they beat Georgia in a World Cup pool match in October 2023.
Warren Gatland had overseen 20 defeats in his 26 games back in charge of Wales before stepping down after the tournament.
Wales Team:
15-Blair Murray
14-Tom Rogers
13-Max Llewellyn
12-Ben Thomas
11-Ellis Mee
10-Gareth Anscombe
9-Tomos Williams
8-Taulupe Faletau
7-Tommy Reffell
6-Jac Morgan (capt)
5-Dafydd Jenkins
4-Will Rowlands
3-Will Griff John
2-Elliot Dee
1-Nicky Smith
Replacements:
16-Evan Lloyd
17-Gareth Thomas
18-Henry Thomas
19-Aaron Wainwright
21-Rhodri Williams
22-Jarrod Evans
23-Joe Roberts
