Josh Adams to start at centre for Wales against Ireland
Josh Adams has played 35 Tests for Wales scoring 17 tries
©Steve Haag
Wales have handed Josh Adams his first start at centre as head coach Wayne Pivac had announced the matchday squad for the Six Nations opening game against Ireland in Dublin.
Adams, who has scored 17 tries for Wales in 34 outings featured for Wales in the autumn international clashes against New Zealand and South Africa but sustained a minor injury ahead of the game against Fiji.
"We've selected Josh at 13, it's something we've been thinking about for a while," said Pivac.
"He's done it in training and in small doses at the end of a game. We think this is a golden opportunity to answer that question."
Wales are already without the services of Alun Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau, Josh Navidi, Dan Lydiate, George North and Leigh Halfpenny due to injuries but will be relieved to have Ross Moriarty back, who is among the replacements after recovering from a shoulder injury.
It will also be his 50th Test appearance and Pivac had high praises for the 27-year-old.
"I am really pleased for Ross," said Pivac.
"He's wrapped to be back in the match-day 23 and I think it's just really around game time at the moment. We think coming off the bench he'll make an impact, so that's why we've gone that way."
Dan Biggar will be captaining the side for the first time and will take over the kicking responsibility forming half-back partnership with Tomos Williams while Louis Rees-Zammit and Johnny McNicholl are at left and right wings respectively.
Adams will be part of midfield that also has Nick Tompkins and Liam Williams starts at fullback. Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias and Tomas Francis are at front-row while Will Rowlands and Adam Beard are the preferred locks with the back row comprising of Ellis Jenkins, Taine Basham and Aaron Wainwright.
Wales XV: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Josh Adams, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Louis Rees-Zammit, 10 Dan Biggar (c), 9 Tomos Williams; 1 Wyn Jones, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Will Rowlands, 5 Adam Beard, 6 Ellis Jenkins, 7 Taine Basham, 8 Aaron Wainwright.
Reserves: 16 Dewi Lake, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Seb Davies, 20 Ross Moriarty, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Callum Sheedy, 23 Owen Watkin
