Welsh head coach Matt Sherratt has named the Wales team to play Ireland in the third round of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations at a sold-out Principality Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday 22 February at 16:15 (SA Time).
Ellis Mee is named on the wing for his first cap and will become the 1,211th men’s international to represent Wales.
Captain Jac Morgan starts at blindside flanker, Tommy Reffell is at openside flanker, his first start of the 2025 Championship, and Taulupe Faletau completes the back row at No. 8.
In the front row, Nicky Smith is selected at loosehead prop and makes his first start of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations, as does Elliot Dee who is at hooker. WillGriff John, who will make his Six Nations debut on Saturday, is the tighthead prop for the match.
Will Rowlands and Dafydd Jenkins pair up in the second row. Tomos Williams is named scrum-half.
Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn, who were called up to the Wales squad this week, make their first appearances of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations at fly-half and centre respectively.
Ben Thomas partners Llewellyn in the midfield.
Tom Rogers joins debutant Mee on the wing, while Blair Murray completes the starting XV at fullback.
Jarrod Evans is named among the replacements and could make his first appearance for Wales since the summer of 2021.
Evan Lloyd, Gareth Thomas, Henry Thomas Teddy Williams and Aaron Wainwright provide the forward cover.
Rhodri Williams and Joe Roberts are the other replacement backs.
Sherratt said: “We’re looking forward to the challenge of facing Ireland.
“We have spoken this week about being brave, but not reckless and making sure everyone knows their roles. We also know that keeping our discipline will be huge.
“Everyone is excited for our first home game of the Six Nations. The atmosphere Wales fans create at Principality Stadium is incredible and playing at home is something the players really look forward to.”
Wales:
15. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 5 caps)
14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 7 caps)
13. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby – 5 caps)
12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 9 caps)
11. Ellis Mee (Scarlets – uncapped)
10. Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester Rugby – 39 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 61 caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 105 caps)
7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 24 caps)
6. Jac Morgan (Ospreys– 20 caps) – captain
5. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 20 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 38 caps)
3. WillGriff John (Sale Sharks – 2 caps)
2. Elliot Dee (Dragons | Dreigiau – 53 caps)
1. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 51 caps)
Replacements
16. Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby – 7 caps)
17. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 37 caps)
18. Henry Thomas (Scarlets – 6 caps)
19. Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 3 caps)
20. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 54 caps)
21. Rhodri Williams (Dragons – 7 caps)
22. Jarrod Evans (Harlequins – 8 caps)
23. Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 2 caps)