Senior men’s head coach Warren Gatland has today announced his Wales XV to play Barbarian F.C on Saturday at Principality Stadium (4 November, KO 2.30pm, live on S4C).
Leigh Halfpenny starts at fullback and will make his final appearance in a Wales jersey after a 15-year career that has seen him win 101 Wales caps. Halfpenny announced last week that this would be his last international match.
Jac Morgan captains the side at open-side flanker, Dan Lydiate at blind-side flanker and Aaron Wainwright at No. 8 join him in the Wales back row.
In the front row Dewi Lake starts at hooker with Corey Domachowski at loose-head prop and Dragons’ Lloyd Fairbrother, who has joined up with the squad on Thursday, named at tight-head prop.
Keiron Assiratti has been released from the squad following an ankle injury sustained in training this week. Leon Brown is unavailable due to a calf injury picked up on club duty.
Ben Carter and Adam Beard pair up in the Wales second row.
Tomos Williams is at scrum-half with Sam Costelow at fly-half in a repeat of the half-back combination that took to the pitch for the final Rugby World Cup pool match against Georgia in Nantes.
Johnny Williams and George North are named in the centres.
Joining Leigh Halfpenny in the back-three are Rio Dyer and Tom Rogers on the wings.
Among Wales’ replacements Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith and Harri O’Connor are the front row cover. Teddy Williams is the second row cover and Taine Plumtree is the back row cover.
The back line cover is provided by Kieran Hardy, Cai Evans and Mason Grady.
Gatland said: “Playing a Barbarians side filled with quality players is a good challenge for this group and a chance for players to put their hands up and show what they are about.
“It’ll be the last game in a Wales jersey for Leigh Halfpenny but also a chance for fans to see and celebrate Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric playing international rugby one last time.
“We’re looking forward to getting back out in front of a home crowd on Saturday.”
Public sale tickets to watch Wales v Barbarians at Principality Stadium are available from WRU.WALES/TICKETS
Wales men’s XV to face the Barbarians at Principality Stadium Saturday 4 November, KO 2.30pm GMT. Live on S4C.
15. Leigh Halfpenny (unattached / heb glwb – 101 caps)
14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 3 caps)
13. George North (Ospreys / Gweilch – 118 caps)
12. Johnny Williams (Scarlets – 7 caps)
11. Rio Dyer (Dragons / Dreigiau – 14 caps)
10. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 8 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 53 caps)
1. Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Rugby/ Caerdydd – 6 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys / Gweilch – 12 caps)
3. Lloyd Fairbrother (Dragons / Dreigiau – uncapped)
4. Ben Carter (Dragons / Dreigiau – 10 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Ospreys / Gweilch – 51 caps)
6. Dan Lydiate (Dragons / Dreigiau – 72 caps)
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys / Gweilch – 15 caps) *captain / capten
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons / Dreigiau – 43 caps)
Replacements
16. Elliot Dee (Dragons / Dreigiau – 46 caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Ospreys / Gweilch – 46 caps)
18. Harri O’Connor (Scarlets – uncapped)
19. Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 1 cap)
20. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 2 caps)
21. Kieran Hardy (Scarlets – 18 caps)
22. Cai Evans (Dragons / Dreigiau – 1 cap)
23. Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 6 caps)
Show Boat
Sport Trivia: Who was the first golfer to win The Open (aka the British Open) in three different decades? Answer: Gary Player. Gary Player won The Open in 1959, 1968, and 1974. He went on to win 9 majors. He also set a record for playing in the most US Masters, with his 52nd in 2009. He was part of the big three in golf, playing in the 1960s together with Jack Nicklaus and Arnie Palmer. He is also known for his famous quote: \”The harder you practice the luckier you get.\”
London Fox
Richie McCaw, a former All Blacks captain, is one of the most capped rugby players in history, with 148 international appearances. He is also a three-time winner of the World Rugby Player of the Year award (2006, 2009, and 2010).