Anscombe recalled as Cherry and Whites answer Wales SOS
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Interim Wales coach Matt Sherratt has recalled Gloucester duo Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn in a new-look team to host Ireland on Saturday.
Warren Gatland stepped down as Wales coach following the 22-15 defeat by Italy, which was Wales’ 14th straight loss and eighth Six Nations reverse in a row.
Sherratt was appointed on an interim basis for this season’s remaining Six Nations games, starting with the Irish in Cardiff before a trip to Scotland and a home fixture against England, and he chose to reverse Gatland’s decision to omit Anscombe and Llewellyn from the Six Nations squad.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge of facing Ireland,” said Sherratt, who made eight changes to the team that went down to Italy. “We have spoken this week about being brave, but not reckless and making sure everyone knows their roles. We also know that keeping our discipline will be huge.
“Everyone is excited for our first home game of the Six Nations. The atmosphere Wales fans create at Principality Stadium is incredible and playing at home is something the players really look forward to.”
READ: Sheehan to lead Ireland charge in Cardiff
Captain Jac Morgan moves to blindside flanker, Tommy Reffell to his preferred post at openside and veteran Taulupe Faletau completing the back row at No 8.
In the front row Nicky Smith is selected at loosehead prop and makes his first start of the 2025 Six Nations, as does Elliot Dee who is at hooker. WillGriff John will make his Six Nations debut at tighthead. Will Rowlands and Dafydd Jenkins pair up in an unchanged second row.
Tomos Williams partners Anscombe at halfback, while Ben Thomas combines with Llewellyn in the midfield. Tom Rogers joins debutant Ellis Mee on the wing, while Blair Murray completes the starting XV at fullback.
Harlequins flyhalf Jarrod Evans is named among the replacements and could make his first appearance for Wales since summer 2021. Rhodri Williams and Joe Roberts are the other replacement backs. Evan Lloyd, Gareth Thomas, Henry Thomas Teddy Williams and Aaron Wainwright provide the forward cover.
Wales have lost seven of their last eight games against Ireland, who are currently 10 places above the Welsh in the world rankings.
Wales — 15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Ellis Mee, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Jac Morgan (capt), 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 WillGriff John, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Nicky Smith
Bench: 16 Evan Lloyd, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 Aaron Wainwright, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Joe Roberts
Six Nations round 3 fixtures:
Saturday
Wales vs Ireland, Cardiff, 4.15pm
England vs Scotland, London, 6.45pm
Sunday
Italy vs France, Rome, 5pm
The @WelshRugbyUnion side to take on Ireland in Cardiff #GuinnessM6Npic.twitter.com/CgVFlc5cr9
— Guinness Men’s Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 20, 2025
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images
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