Head coach Warren Gatland has named his Wales senior men’s XV to play England this Saturday (kick-off 5.30pm) - and he names two Dragons in his match day squad with Dan Lydiate and Taine Basham involved.
Following last weekend’s encounter in Cardiff, which saw the home side win 20-9, Wales make the trip to Twickenham Stadium for the return fixture with a much-changed line-up.
Josh Adams will win his 50th cap for Wales on Saturday, having made his senior international debut against Scotland in the 2018 Six Nations.
Joe Roberts (centre) will become the 1,192nd men’s player to represent Wales when he takes to the field on Saturday. Nick Tompkins partners Roberts in the midfield.
Kemsley Mathias and Keiran Williams, named as replacements for the fixture, are also in line to win their first senior Wales caps.
Dewi Lake is selected at hooker and will captain the side at Twickenham. Like Jac Morgan last weekend, this is Lake’s first time leading the senior men’s side after previous experience doing so at U20 level. Gareth Thomas (loosehead prop) and Tomas Francis (tighthead prop) join Lake in the Wales front row.
Rhys Davies makes his first senior start for Wales. Adam Beard appears alongside him in the second row.
Taine Plumtree who made his debut at Principality Stadium last weekend is selected at No. 8. Lydiate (blindside flanker) makes his first appearance for Wales since injury against Argentina last autumn. Tommy Reffell (openside flanker) completes the back row.
Tomos Williams, who made an appearance from the bench last weekend, starts at scrum-half. Owen Williams is named at fly-half.
Liam Williams at full-back and wing Tom Rogers, who makes his first Wales appearance since July 2021, complete the starting XV.
Joining Mathias as the forward cover for the match are Sam Parry, who like Rogers would feature for the first time since July 2021, Dillon Lewis, Christ Tshiunza and Basham. Kieran Hardy and Dan Biggar join Keiran Williams as the back line cover.
Gatland said: “There’s an opportunity for another group of players who weren’t involved last week. There’s some great competition within the squad.
"I was pretty pleased with the team performance and the result last week – it wasn’t perfect but there’s a chance now for this group to go out Saturday and to put down their own marker.
"Like I said there’s some real competition and perhaps a bit of pressure on this group as well. Then we’ll look potentially what the make up of the team is the following week against South Africa.”
Wales senior men’s XV to play England at Twickenham Stadium, Saturday 12 August, KO 5.30pm BST.
15. Liam Williams (Kubota Spears – 84 caps)
14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 49 caps)
13. Joe Roberts (Scarlets – uncapped / heb gap)
12. Nick Tompkins (Saracens / Saraseniaid – 27 caps)
11. Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 2 caps)
10. Owen Williams (Ospreys / Gweilch – 7 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby/ Caerdydd – 46 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys /Gweilch – 21 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys / Gweilch – 8 caps): captain / capten
3. Tomas Francis (Provence – 71 caps)
4. Rhys Davies (Ospreys / Gweilch – 2 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Ospreys / Gweilch– 46 caps)
6. Dan Lydiate (Dragons / Dreigiau – 69 caps)
7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 9 caps)
8. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 1 cap)
Replacements:
16. Sam Parry (Ospreys / Gweilch – 5 caps)
17. Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets – uncapped / heb gap)
18. Dillon Lewis (Harlequins – 50 caps)
19. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 6 caps)
20. Taine Basham (Dragons / Dreigiau – 11 caps)
21. Kieran Hardy (Scarlets – 17 caps)
22. Dan Biggar (Toulon – 108 caps)
23. Keiran Williams (Ospreys / Gweilch – uncapped / heb gap)
