Wales tweak bench for Edinburgh trip

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales head coach Matt Sherratt has named his Wales team to play Scotland in the fourth round of the Six Nations at Murrayfield.

The starting line-up is unchanged from the third-round home encounter against Ireland two weeks ago.

Captain Jac Morgan starts at blindside flank, Tommy Reffell is at openside flanker and Taulupe Faletau completes the back row at No.8.

In the front row, Nicky Smith is selected at loosehead prop, Elliot Dee is at hooker and WillGriff John is tighthead prop for the match.

Will Rowlands and Dafydd Jenkins continue their partnership in the second row.

Tomos Williams is named at scrumhalf. Gareth Anscombe is named at flyhalf.

Ben Thomas partners Max Llewellyn in the midfield.

Tom Rogers joins Ellis Mee, who made his Wales debut last time out, on the wing, while Blair Murray completes the starting XV at fullback.

There are two changes among the replacements: hooker Dewi Lake is in line to make his first Six Nations appearance for Wales since 2022.

Tighthead prop Keiron Assiratti also returns to the matchday 23.

Gareth Thomas, Teddy Williams and Aaron Wainwright provide the remaining forward cover.

Rhodri Williams, Jarrod Evans and Joe Roberts are the replacement backs for the second match in succession.

“This week we’ve challenged ourselves to keep improving,” Sherratt said.

“We want to keep the same intent and bravery as we showed last time out, but making sure that we are building on our game.

“We’re excited for the challenge of playing Scotland in Edinburgh and can’t wait to get out there on Saturday.”

Wales: 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 (captain), 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 WillGriff John, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Nicky Smith.
Replacements: 16 Dewi Lake, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 Aaron Wainwright, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Joe Roberts.

Date: Saturday, March 8
Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 16.45 (16.45 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)