Wales’ Gareth Anscombe, 2022. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Former Auckland rugby player Gareth Anscombe returns to the under-fire Wales side for their Six Nations game against Ireland in Cardiff this weekend.
Interim head coach Matt Sherratt, who replaced Warren Gatland last week, has picked 33 year old Anscombe for his first Six Nations start since he inspired Wales to a Grand Slam victory against Ireland six years ago.
Anscombe, who wasn't in Gatland's original squad, will start at first five.
Wales are on a 14-game losing streak.
Sherratt has wasted no time in overhauling the beleaguered team as he made nine changes to the side that lost to Italy in the opening round.
Sherratt's first selection since taking over was expected to see multiple changes and proved correct with four switches in the backline and five among the forwards, including a new front row and centre pairing.
There will be a first cap for English-born winger Ellis Mee, who has played only 10 competitive games for the Scarlets since joining them from Nottingham last year.
Max Llewellyn, another player who Gatland did not call up for this year's Six Nations, links up with Ben Thomas at centre
Gareth Anscombe of Wales kicks at goal. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and WillGriff John make up the new-look front row as Wales look to pull off a shock win over the much-vaunted Irish and end a record-breaking 14-match losing streak.
Tommy Reffell comes in on the side of the scrum with captain Jac Morgan shifted to blindside flanker.
Dafydd Jenkins was pulled out of the starting line-up 90 minutes before kick off against Italy a fortnight ago because of illness but has regained his place at lock.
Gatland departed last week after disappointing away defeats in France and Italy in the opening two rounds of the Six Nations, with Sherratt accepting a caretaker role for the rest of the tournament.
"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," Sherratt said in the statement naming the team, who will play in front of a sell-out Principality Stadium.
Team: 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 (captain), 5-Dafydd Jenkins, 4-Will Rowlands, 3-WillGriff John, 2-Elliot Dee, 1-Nicky Smith
Replacements: 16-Evan Lloyd, 17-Gareth Thomas, 18-Henry Thomas, 19-Aaron Wainwright, 21-Rhodri Williams, 22-Jarrod Evans, 23-Joe Roberts.
-Reuters with additional reporting from RNZ
