Wales vs Ireland: Joe Hawkins, Rio Dyer start in Six Nations clash, Leigh Halfpenny and Dan Biggar return | Rugby Union News
Wales open their 2023 Six Nations campaign by hosting Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday, February 4 (2.15pm kick-off); Warren Gatland returns for his second spell as head coach, after previously being in charge between 2007-2019; Centre Joe Hawkins and wing Rio Dyer both named to start
Last Updated: 31/01/23 12:35pm
Wing Rio Dyer has been named to start for Wales against Ireland in the Six Nations
Inexperienced duo Joe Hawkins and Rio Dyer have been named in the Wales backline to face Ireland in Saturday’s Six Nations opener in Cardiff, as Warren Gatland’s second stint in charge begins.Â
Alun Wyn Jones starts in the second row, while Dan Biggar is named at fly-half, but hooker Ken Owens will lead the side as skipper.
Full-back Leigh Halfpenny is set to make his first start for Wales since the summer of 2021 having featured as a replacement against Georgia in November. Biggar returns having missed the autumn through injury.
In-form back-row Jac Morgan, meanwhile, has also been named to start against Andy Farrell’s Ireland at the Principality Stadium.
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Josh Adams, 13 George North, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Tomos Williams; 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Ken Owens (c), 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Adam Beard, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Jac Morgan, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Dafydd Jenkins, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Owen Williams, 23 Alex Cuthbert
More to follow…
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