By David Williams
Dewi Lake will captain a Wales team that includes Scarlets centre Joe Roberts on debut – one of 15 changes – in Saturday’s World Cup warm-up clash against England at Twickenham.
Roberts, 23, is partnered in midfield by Nick Tompkins, while there are also starts for the likes of wing Tom Rogers, fly-half Owen Williams, lock Rhys Davies and flanker Tommy Reffell.
Taine Plumtree, who lines up at No.8, is handed his first Test start following an impressive performance off the bench in Wales’ 20-9 victory over England last weekend.
Wing Josh Adams, who was top try-scorer at the 2019 World Cup in Japan, wins his 50th cap.
Head coach Warren Gatland said: “I’ve been really impressed with Dewi. Like Jac (Morgan – who captained the side last week) he’s well-respected in the group, he’s got a voice and he has confidence about himself and his own ability.
“We’re in a bit of transition, so in the back of my mind I was thinking we are building not only for the next few months but also starting to think about what we need to do with the next cycle of players going forwards towards 2027.”
Team news is in! 🏴
🧢 Josh Adams gets his 50th cap
💪 Dewi Lake leads the lads out
🏉 Joe Roberts makes his debutWhat do you make of that line up for Wales v England? 👀 #BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/NNVh5ddVIV
— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) August 9, 2023
Gatland revealed he had spoken to Lions wing Adams, who he felt had lost some of his previous sharpness.
“I have a huge amount of respect for Josh. I had a chat to him when he came into the squad – felt he wasn’t as sharp as I’ve seen him in the past and he agreed with that.
“He’s worked hard. He’s looking really sharp in training at the moment; so to get to earn his 50th cap is a fantastic achievement.
“He’s been through some adversity – he had to leave Wales to go to the Premiership before we could get him back – but he’s come through it and he’s a really, really popular member of the group. Josh always gives 100% and I’m absolutely delighted for him.”
Kemsley Mathias and Keiran Williams, named as replacements for the fixture, are also in line to win their first senior Wales caps.
Nick Tompkins partners Roberts in the midfield. Gareth Thomas and Tomas Francis join Lake in the Wales front row.
A first cap for Scarlets centre Joe Roberts and a first start for Taine Plumtree, while hooker Dewi Lake takes on the captaincy as Wales make 15 changes for the rematch with England at Twickenham. https://t.co/6mIo1ZWEue
— Simon Thomas (@simonrug) August 9, 2023
Rhys Davies makes his first senior start for Wales. Adam Beard appears alongside him in the second row.
Plumtree who made his debut at Principality Stadium last weekend is selected at No. 8. Dan 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 Taine Basham.
Kieran Hardy and Dan Biggar join Keiran Williams as the back line cover.
Gatland added: “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.”
🏴 set to make wholesale changes (likely entire XV) for #RWC2023 warm-up rematch with 🏴. Taine Plumtree (who is the 🍏 of the coaches’ 👁) in line for first Test start as he continues rise in NH rugby. @MailSport story here:https://t.co/gIZ1id6J4q
— Alex Bywater (@_AlexBywater) August 8, 2023
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)
