Halfpenny back for Wales as Gatland names lineup for Six Nations opener against Ireland

Kiwi Gatland, 59, taking charge of his first match in his second spell of the Welsh national side, has opted for a blend of youth and experience in his starting lineup. 

A second cap has been earnt for Osprey’s Centre Joe Hawkins, one of eight Swansea based starters, whilst Halfpenny will return to play in a back three alongside exciting Dragon’s youngster Rio Dyer and Cardiff’s Josh Adams. 

Scarlet’s hooker Ken Owens will lead Wales for the first time, replacing Dan Biggar as captain, despite the Toulon fly half returning to the starting lineup after a lengthy lay off with injury. 

Lock, Alun Wyn Jones will again extend his record as the most capped international player in rugby history, making appearance number 156 in a side containing seven of its starters with 90 appearances or more for their country.

Gatland will be looking to improve on a dismal Six Nations campaign that saw Wales finish in fifth place in the table last year, suffering their first ever home defeat against Italy.

Whilst a forgettable autumn international campaign ended in the departure of coach Wayne Pivac. November’s 13-12 defeat to minnows Georgia in Cardiff proving too much to stomach for the Welsh decision makers, with next autumn’s World Cup in France also on the horizon.

It is the inclusion of Halfpenny that will draw the talking points, with the Scarlets player last starting for Wales against Canada in July 2021. Gatland, though, is glad to call upon the Gorseinon born Full Back with his defensive experience in dealing with Ireland’s kicking game vital to his side’s chances.

‘It’s good to see him back [Halfpenny]. He has been training well. Jamison Gibson-Park will look to kick a lot off nine”, explained Gatland.

“He has been one of the top defensive full backs in world rugby for a number of years.

“So much so, that I have seen NZ teams take out clips of him defensively and positionally and use them as part of their review process. It’s good to see him back.”

Ireland will not have been the opponent Gatland would have chosen to face first in his latest tenure with Andy Farrell’s side searching to win their first Six Nations title since 2018.

The Irish’s test series win against New Zealand, only the fifth touring side to win a test series against the All Blacks in July taking Farrell’s side to the summit of the World Rankings. 

Much like against England fifteen years ago back in Gatland’s first run in charge where Wales upset their neighbours 26-19, Wales will come into the match at the Principality enjoying their underdog status with quiet optimism they can cause one or two surprises. Something Gatland believes both players and supporters will relish.

“I think the Welsh like to be underdogs. The only expectation is the one we put on ourselves”, Gatland continued.

“We know how good a team they are. You don’t become the number one team in the world without consistency. They have a lot of players from Leinster and they’re one of the form teams in world club rugby, with their consistency and success.

“We realise what a challenge that will be and they have the continuity of being unbeaten in the autumn as well and the confidence that brings. That’s the challenge for us.

“The underdog tag is something I’ve found in the past the Welsh boys tend to relish. They like people writing them off as it tends to motivate them. I’m confident we’ll give a good account of ourselves on Saturday and give a good performance.”

Wales XV to play Ireland

15 Lee Halfpenny (Scarlets), 14 Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby), 13 George North (Ospreys), 12 Joe Hawkins (Ospreys), 11 Rio Dyer (Dragons), 10 Dan Biggar (Toulon), 9 Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby), 1 Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), 2 Ken Owens (Scarlets, Captain), 3 Tomas Francis (Ospreys), 4 Adam Beard (Ospreys), 5 Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), 6 Jac Morgan (Ospreys), 7 Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), 8 Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby).

Replacements

16 Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), 17 Rhys Care (Cardiff Rugby), 18 Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby), 19 Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), 20 Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers), 21 Rhys Webb (Ospreys), 22 Owen Williams (Ospreys), 23 Alex Cuthbert (Ospreys).

(Lead image: WRU)