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Gatland names experimental side for Washington DC game

31 May 2018

Wales wing George North celebrates a try against Italy

Ellis Jenkins will captain Wales for the first time on Saturday when he leads his country against South Africa in Washington D.C.

The former Wales U20 skipper will line up alongside Seb Davies and Ross Moriarty in the back-row as Wales take on the Springboks in their opening summer tour encounter.

Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and Dillon Lewis start in the front-row with Bradley Davies and Cory Hill packing down in the second-row.

Owen Watkin and George North are named in the centre, with North making his 4th start in the midfield for Wales.

Scarlets pair Steff Evans and Tom Prydie are named on the wing with Prydie making his first international appearance since the summer of 2013. Hallam Amos starts at full-back.

“Saturday is a huge opportunity for this squad and for players individually,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

“Everything we are doing is geared for the RWC in 15 months’ time and the next three matches are a hugely important part of our development.

“This weekend is an opportunity for players to build on their test rugby experience and lay a marker down for the jersey and for the position going forward.

“I think there are exciting selections across the team and I’m looking forward to Saturday to see what we are able to do against the Springboks.”

Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones and Rhodri Jones provide the forward cover on the bench. Adam Beard and uncapped flanker Aaron Wainwright complete the forward contingent. Aled Davies, Rhys Patchell and Hadleigh Parkes are named as the backline cover. (Patchell will undergo a fitness test ahead of the game with Gareth Davies providing cover if he does not come through the session).

WALES TEAM TO PLAY SOUTH AFRICA

15. Hallam Amos (15 Caps)
14. Tom Prydie (7 Caps)
13. George North (73 Caps)
12. Owen Watkin (4 Caps)
11. Steff Evans (9 Caps)
10. Gareth Anscombe (15 Caps)
9. Tomos Williams (*Uncapped)
1. Nicky Smith (18 Caps)
2. Elliot Dee (7 Caps)
3. Dillon Lewis (2 Caps)
4. Bradley Davies (62 Caps)
5. Cory Hill (15 Caps)
6. Seb Davies (4 Caps)
7. Ellis Jenkins (6 Caps) (CAPT)
8. Ross Moriarty (20 Caps)

Replacements:
16. Ryan Elias (2 Caps)
17. Wyn Jones (8 Caps)
18. Rhodri Jones (16 Caps)
19. Adam Beard (2 Caps)
20. Aaron Wainwright (*Uncapped)
21. Aled Davies (8 Caps)
22. Rhys Patchell (8 Caps) / Gareth Davies (32 Caps)
23. Hadleigh Parkes (6 Caps)

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Comments on RugbyPass

RedWarriors 37 minutes ago

Jordie Barrett produces man-of-the-match showing after benching drama

Serious mistake omitting Barrett for NH. Serious questions remain why the predictable curve balls available to NH against the rush defense were not mitigated for in advance. Leinster did not get tested for the first two rounds but the test was coming.

Look also at the incorrect decision re taking 3 points after the O’Brien ‘penalty where it lands’. The same conference has been happenning for years with the correct decision not often found.

In the URC v Connaught a kick to the corner refusing ane asy kick lead to a Connacht turnover and yellow for Leinster. Connacht scored a try and attacked again for the match against 14. They created an overlap and the tackle of the match saved them before the overlap could be cashed in. Leinster had another kickable penalty and amazingly the conference started again. Barrett ordered a kick at goal to put it out of reach. He was the man who had also saved/won the match for them with that penalty.

Why was this botched decision making not reviewed and eliminated in that match?

It honestly looks like the leadership hole left by Johnny Sexton has not been filled by the coaching group.

3 Go to comments

BA 1 hour ago

An England 23 Borthwick could pick after the Lions squad announcement

If England can beat Pumas over there without their top guns would be big scalp especially if Pumas are at full noise

8 Go to comments

Carlos 2 hours ago

Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

Felipe and Manuel went to Cardinal Newman school and rugby club, ran by Irish priests. One of them left to found St Brendan’s. Newman, St. George’s and St Andrew’s are the traditional upper class Anglo schools of Buenos Aires. Only Newman now sustains great rugby. St George’s previously did and St Andrew’s was a feeder to many clubs.

In 1970 Ireland toured Argentina and the team visited Hurling Club near the city and left them their kits at the end of the tour. The party was memorable. My mother and three brothers played field hockey for Hurling. Also, some of the players visited St Brendan’s.

Some years ago, I met Barry Bresniham at a rheumatology meeting. Sadly he passed away of a brain tumor. Barry was a very charming man and we spoke about that 1970 visit. St Brendan’s posted a picture of him on the front door of the school.

I do know about the Irish. I sincerely appreciate and enjoy Mzilikazi here, for example. But you sound like the Aussie fan OJ. Angry and defensive. Be like the Irish I know and not like a sourpuss.

200 Go to comments

Carlos 2 hours ago

Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

I’m an Argie. We first scrum.

200 Go to comments

DC 2 hours ago

Farrell puts his reputation on the line knowing tougher challenges lie ahead

The Lions are a scratch team of players who rarely ever play together. For them to win, they need to be based on the best Home Nation (which still probably Ireland) with a smattering of players from the other nations.

Bare in mind that in 2001 they played the world champions. 2005 they played the greatest NZ team in the history of the All Blacks. 2009 and 2021 SA were the world champions. And NZ were the world champions in 2017. The only series the Lions have won in recent years was against Australia, who were significantly weaker than the other SH teams.

11 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 3 hours ago

Leo Cullen 'completely, 100 per cent' understands Leinster fan frustration

Hard to test them when they’re rested the week before or left on the bench, don’t you think?

2 Go to comments

JD 4 hours ago

Marcus Smith backed to beat rivals to Lions Test jersey

They are, except when it comes to 10.

Assuming Russell starts as test 10 you have no back up on the pitch. The only option is Kinghorn, but he would need to fill in there during warm up matches which is unlikely.

Only option is Smith in the 23 shirt. This again assumes Kinghorn starting 15. Based on current form that is the case.

Personally I prefer the conventional 5:3 split for the most part.

8 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 hours ago

Leo Cullen 'completely, 100 per cent' understands Leinster fan frustration

The point is the ‘Team are not pushing forward’. The team are better in absolute terms but the tactical coaching is poor. If Leinster are not being challenged and weaknesses exposed in matches then that has to be done in the training ground.

That said individual players must take flak. A lot of ire was directed at Snyman, but McCarthy must take flak too. That said what on earth was Keenan doing attempting to rush against Freeman (first try) and Ramm last try. Both times he was caught in no mans land leaving a field of green behind him. For the first try he just needs to hold his ground a little to cover the kick. An overlap was not on. Keenan would have easily reached Freeman, but rishing up made the grubber 100% on.

The Ramm one was equally bizarre. Now NH had caught Leinster short, but they have alot of work to do if Keenan holds his ground. Again he rushed up meaning one pass to Ramm makes the try.

Some players can be rested for 3 weeks, some get rusty. Keenan is one of the latter. But he must do better. All Leinster needed was one of those tries to be averted. Just one.

2 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 4 hours ago

As the balance of power shifts away from Ireland, has Andy Farrell got his Lions calls right?