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Four Cardiff Blues players named in Wales squad for Autumn Nations Cup opener

International | 11th November 2020


Four Cardiff Blues players have been named in Wales' squad for the Autumn Nations Cup opener against Ireland on Friday (KO 7.00pm).

Wayne Pivac has made a single change from the Guinness Six Nations defeat to Scotland, with Justin Tipuric returning to the back row after recovering from tonsillitis.

Having impressed on his Test debut, Shane Lewis-Hughes retains the number six jersey, with Taulupe Faletau completing the back row.

Lewis-Hughes is joined in the pack by fellow academy graduate, Rhys Carré, who crossed for his first try on the international stage against Scotland.

With an unchanged backline named, Josh Adams continues on the wing, combining with Scarlets duo, Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams.

Having made an impression as a replacement on his return to International rugby, Lloyd Williams is once again named on the bench for the encounter in Dublin.

Joining the scrum half on the bench is uncapped Bristol Bears playmaker, Callum Sheedy, who represented Cardiff Blues at age grade level, while full back Halfpenny also came through Wales' Capital Region's academy.

WALES TEAM TO PLAY IRELAND

1. Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues (10 Caps)

2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets) (15 Caps)

3. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (49 Caps)

4. Will Rowlands (Wasps) (2 Caps)

5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (140 Caps) (CAPT)

6. Shane Lewis-Hughes (Cardiff Blues) (1 Cap)

7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (77 Caps)

8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath) (78 Caps)

9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (55 Caps)

10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints) (85 Caps)

11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues) (26 Caps)

12. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (23 Caps)

13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (83 Caps)

14. Liam Williams (Scarlets) (64 Caps)

15. Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (91 Caps)

REPLACEMENTS:

16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) (29 Caps)

17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (26 Caps)

18. Samson Lee (Scarlets) (42 Caps)

19. Jake Ball (Scarlets) (46 Caps)

20. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (23 Caps)

21. Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues) (29 Caps)

22. Callum Sheedy (Bristol) (*Uncapped)

23. George North (Ospreys) (96 Caps)