Prop Rhys Carre and wing Owen Lane will make their debuts for Wales Saturday, when the Grand Slam winners host Ireland in their penultimate Rugby World Cup warmup match in Cardiff.
Head coach Warren Gatland has made 14 changes to the squad that beat England 13-6 earlier this month and the team will be captained by Josh Navidi, with Aaron Shingler and James Davies in the back row alongside him.
Uncapped Carre and Lane have played together for Wales’ age-grade sides and Gatland said it was a “great opportunity” for the pair to make an impression before he finalises his 31-man squad for next month’s World Cup in Japan.
“They’ve worked hard all summer to get to this point, so it will be good for them to get their first international caps and put their hands up for Rugby World Cup selection after the match,” Gatland said in a statement.
“For Josh, it’s a huge honour to be named captain. He has been hugely consistent for us… really impressed in the last couple of seasons and he’ll lead from the front of Saturday, and it is a great compliment for him to be awarded the captaincy.
“Saturday is a really big game for the players and I’m really excited about the challenge for this Welsh team. There’s so much at stake in terms of World Cup selection, and with a number of positions still up for grabs, it will be a huge game.”
Carre will play alongside Scarlets’ Ryan Elias and Samson Lee in the front row while Jarrod Evans is set to make his first start.
Wales will play one more warm-up match away at Ireland on Sept. 7 before flying to Japan, where they begin their World Cup Pool D campaign against Georgia on Sept. 23.
Wales team to face Ireland
15. Hallam Amos, 14. Owen Lane, 13. Scott Williams, 12. Owen Watkin, 11. Steff Evans, 10. Jarrod Evans, 9. Aled Davies; 1. Rhys Carre, 2. Ryan Elias, 3. Samson Lee, 4. Adam Beard, 5. Bradley Davies, 6. Aaron Shingler, 7. James Davies, 8. Josh Navidi.
Replacements: 16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) (20 Caps), 17. Rob Evans, 18. Leon Brown, 19. Jake Ball, 20. Ross Moriarty, 21. Tomos Williams, 22. Rhys Patchell, 23. Jonah Holmes.