Wales head coach Steve Tandy has named his first side for the summer internationals, as his side prepares to face the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium on Saturday (KO: 14:00).
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Jac Morgan, who wasn’t selected as Wales captain earlier in the week, will start at open-side and will play his first match since being brutally taken off injured against Argentina in the autumn internationals at Principality Stadium last November.
There are four uncapped players among the men’s replacements: loose-head prop Rhys Barratt, tight-head prop Ben Warren, second row Ryan Woodman and back row Harrison Keddie.
Second row Teddy Williams makes his return to the side for the first time this season following injury.
Tandy’s side will be aiming to continue the momentum gained from an impressive 31-17 victory over Italy, as the inaugural Nations Championship is on the horizon.
Following the fixture against the invitational side, Wales will meet Fiji, Argentina, and South Africa in the coming weeks, and the 46-year-old will also have access to all his English- and French-based players.
In Twickenham this weekend, Wales will face a Barbarians side coached by former All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson, who were put aside by South Africa 80-31 in Gqeberha last weekend.
Wales have the luxury, for the first time under Tandy, of a low-stakes match, with less scrutiny than in his previous nine matches as head coach.
Speaking following selecting his side, Tandy said: “We’ve had a good block of training building towards this game and are excited to get our summer underway on Saturday.
“I’m delighted for Rhys, Ben, Ryan and Harrison, who are all in line to make their first senior appearance for Wales.
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“The Barbarians will present a good challenge for us. They have lots of skilful players, and I’m sure it’ll be a high-paced game with lots of offloads.
“That in turn will be a great preparation for us as we head into the Nations Championship and play Fiji the week after.
“The more games we play, the more consistent we can be. We’re looking to pick up where we left off in the Six Nations and continue to build and improve as a group.”
This weekend also sees both Wales’ national teams take on the Baa-Baas in a double-header at Twickenham, with Tandy’s side and Sean Lynn’s women’s side facing the Barbarians (KO: 17:00).
Wales Team To Play Barbarians:
15. Blair Murray
14. Tom Rogers
13. Eddie James
12. Joe Hawkins
11. Ellis Mee
10. Dan Edwards
9. Kieran Hardy
1. Gareth Thomas
2. Dewi Lake- C
3. Dillon Lewis
4. Ben Carter
5. Teddy Williams
6. Taine Plumtree
7. Jac Morgan
8. Aaron Wainwright
Replacements:
16. Ryan Ellias
17. Rhys Barratt
18. Ben Warren
19. Ryan Woodman
20. Harrison Keddie
21. Reuben Morgan-Williams
22. Sam Costelow
23. Mason Grady
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