Interim head coach Matt Sherratt is set to make extensive changes to the Wales side for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Ireland in Cardiff, with Scarlets back Ellis Mee poised to make his international debut.
Sherratt, who took over after Warren Gatland's departure last week, is expected to ring the changes with eight personnel alterations from the team that lost to Italy in Rome. Mee, who joined the Scarlets from Nottingham last summer, is likely to start in the back three, with Gareth Anscombe returning at fly-half and Ben Thomas shifting to inside centre.
Gloucester's Max Llewellyn is also set to make his first start at outside centre, while an all-new front row of Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and WillGriff John is anticipated. Captain Jac Morgan will move to blindside flanker to accommodate Tommy Reffell at openside, with Dafydd Jenkins returning to the second row after illness.
Sherratt is expected to opt for a 6-2 split on the bench, with Dragons scrum-half Rhodri Williams and Scarlets wing Tom Rogers providing backline cover. James Botham and Aaron Wainwright are among the forward replacements.
