Gatland reveals Wales team for Ireland clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales have named an unchanged matchday squad for their final 2019 Six Nations encounter against Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday.
Warren Gatland will oversee his 50th Six Nations match for Wales this weekend and his side goes into the game as the only unbeaten team in the tournament with four victories to their name.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones will equal Welshman Gethin Jenkins’ total test appearance record as he moves to 134 test caps (125 Wales, 9 British & Irish Lions) and to joint fifth in the overall world Test appearance list.
Jones again packs down with Adam Beard in the second row, with Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis continuing together in the front row. Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty comprise the back row.
Gareth Davies and Gareth Anscombe are the halfbacks with Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies in the midfield.
Josh Adams, George North and Liam Williams once again comprise the back three for Wales.
▶️ “It’s an opportunity to create history,” Warren Gatland tells WRU TV. Mae Warren eisiau Cymru i gipio’r moment a rhoi popeth yn erbyn Iwerddon. #ForTheJersey pic.twitter.com/j05DgmSt9I
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) March 14, 2019
“We’ve named an unchanged squad and rewarded the players for the last couple of outings and the last couple of victories.
“These players are on a very good run, they are a hugely impressive group and they deserve to be going into the final weekend with everything to play for.
“It is a great reward for them for the hard work they have put in and we are all looking forward to what is going to be a huge game.
“For a number of us as coaches this is our last Six Nations game and the fact that it is in Cardiff is extra special. There is bound to be a bit of emotion on Saturday and that is something to embrace.”
Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith and Dillon Lewis provide the front-row cover on the bench with Jake Ball and Aaron Wainwright completing the forward contingent. Aled Davies, Dan Biggar and Owen Watkin provide the backline cover.
TEAM NEWS 🏴 Unbeaten Wales name unchanged squad for final 2019 #GuinnessSixNations encounter against @IrishRugby on Saturday. Dim newid i’r garfan am y 50fed gêm Chwe Gwlad Warren Gatland fel prif hyfforddwr Cymru.#HWFN #ForTheJersey pic.twitter.com/hB5pdUlrP9
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) March 14, 2019
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Josh Navidi, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 4 Adam Beard, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Rob Evans.
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Aaron Wainwright, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Dan Biggar, 23 Owen Watkin.
Date: Saturday, March 16
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 14.45 (14.45 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Karl Dickson (England)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
