Jac Morgan will make his first Wales appearance since November when he leads the team against the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday. The 26-year-old is one of eight changes to the starting XV that beat Italy in the final round of the Six Nations.
Team news and returns
Second-row Teddy Williams also starts, playing his first game since suffering a horrific dislocation of his foot playing for Cardiff against Connacht last October. Dewi Lake captains the side after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Wales will be without 14 players based in England and France due to the game falling outside World Rugby's designated international window.
Blair Murray replaces Louis Rees-Zammit at full-back, with Ellis Mee and Tom Rogers on the wing. Joe Hawkins and Eddie James continue their centre partnership, Dan Edwards wears the number 10 jersey, and Kieran Hardy replaces Tomos Williams.
Gareth Thomas comes in instead of Rhys Carre, while Dragons tighthead Dillon Lewis makes his first Wales appearance for over two years. Ben Carter partners Williams at lock, and Taine Plumtree and Aaron Wainwright join Morgan in the backrow.
Uncapped players on the bench
Four uncapped players are named among the replacements: props Rhys Barratt and Ben Warren, backrower Harrison Keddie, and lock Ryan Woodman.
“We’ve had a good block of training building towards this game and are excited to get our summer underway on Saturday,” said Wales head coach Steve Tandy. “I’m delighted for Rhys, Ben, Ryan and Harrison, who are all in-line to make their first senior appearance for Wales.
“The Barbarians will present a good challenge for us. They have lots of skilful players and I’m sure it’ll be a high pace game with lots of offloads. That in turn will be a great preparation for us as we head into the Nations Championship and playing Fiji the week after.
“The more games we play the more consistent we can be. We’re looking to pick up where we left off in the Six Nations and continue to build and improve as a group.”
Wales Women also name squad
Alex Callender will captain Wales Women as they take on the Barbarians at 5pm. There are five uncapped players in the women’s match-day squad: wings Amy Williams and Kelsey Webster, prop Stella Orrin, flanker Lucy Isaac, and scrum half Lily Hawkins.
Flanker Alisha Joyce makes her first start for Wales since the birth of her son Ralphie. Eleven of the women’s starting line-up are aged 22 or under, and 14 of them have played Celtic Challenge rugby for Brython Thunder or Gwalia Lightning.
“This is a young and exciting team selected to face the Barbarians and every one of these players have deserved this opportunity,” said Wales Women's head coach Sean Lynn. “Eleven of the starting line-up are aged 22 or under and it’s a great shop window for them to show what they have delivered in training over the last three weeks.
“We asked the players to assume nothing and to all fight for this chance to wear the red jersey, they have done that in training in the last three weeks and deserve to be selected.
“We have five new faces in Amy Williams, Kelsie Webster, Stella Orrin, Lucy Isaac and Lily Hawkins, and they are representing the future of this Wales team.
“All of the players have really stepped up and with the players we have missing due to the PWR semi-finals and final, it’s a real opportunity to see the next generation of Wales players.
“Having Al Cal back is a major boost with the energy she brings, and she is the emotional heartbeat for every side she plays for.”
Teams in full
Wales Men: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Eddie James, Joe Hawkins, Ellis Mee; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Dillon Lewis, Ben Carter, Teddy Williams, Taine Plumtree, Jac Morgan, Aaron Wainwright. Replacements: Ryan Elias, Rhys Barratt, Ben Warren, Ryan Woodman, Harrison Keddie, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Sam Costelow, Mason Grady.
Wales Women: Nel Metcalfe; Kelsie Webster, Courtney Keight, Jenna de Vera, Amy Williams; Kayleigh Powell, Seren Lockwood; Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Branwen Metcalfe, Jorja Aiono, Alex Callender, Bryonie King. Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Katherine Baverstock, Stella Orrin, Alaw Pyrs, Lucy Isaac, Lily Hawkins, Keira Bevan, Freya Bell.
