The sight of Morgan back on the pitch will be a pleasing one for Warren Gatland as Wales bid to avoid a record 11th consecutive international defeat. The Ospreys captain making his first international start since leading Wales in the World Cup quarter-final defeat against Argentina in October 2023 in Marseille.
The flanker missed the 2024 Six Nations because of a knee problem and the summer tour as a result of a hamstring injury.
Morgan, 24, was named on the bench for the 24-19 defeat against Fiji last weekend but made an impression when he came on in the second half and this weekend will come in for Tommy Reffell who drops to the bench.
In an unchanged front row, Gareth Thomas starts at loose-head where he will once again be partnered by Archie Griffin and captain Dewi Lake at hooker.
Ospreys lock Adam Beard and Racing 92’s Will Rowlands add vital experience in the second row.
It’s all change in the back-row with Morgan joined by James Botham, with Taine Plumtree joining Reffell on the replacements bench. Aaron Wainwright completes the back row at number eight.
A shoulder injury rules out Gloucester’s scrum-half Tomos Williams, providing a chance for Cardiff’s Ellis Bevan – a try scorer last weekend to partner Gareth Anscombe at half-back.
Scarlets wing Tom Rogers comes in for the injured Mason Grady, with Blair Murray on the opposite side. Cam Winnett completes the XV at full back.
Gatland has opted for the more traditional balance of five forwards and three backs on his bench this time after the tactic of six forwards and two backs backfired against Fiji.
After losing Grady to injury, Gatland admitted afterwards the wrong replacement had been sent on with Scarlets fly-half Sam Costelow playing out of position rather than Cardiff scrum-half Bevan, who had been allocated to cover the wing.
Scarlets centre Eddie James is named as a replacement against Australia.
Speaking on the selection head coach Warren Gatland said:
“We’re expecting an Australia side on a high after their win against England. They are a much-improved side since the summer and have played a number of Test matches since we last met.
“We need to be more accurate and disciplined especially in key moments. We know we need to put in an 80 minute performance on Sunday.”
Wales XV to face Australia
Cameron Winnett, Tom Rogers, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Blair Murray, Gareth Anscombe, Ellis Bevan, Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (captain), Archie Griffin, Will Rowlands, Adam Beard, Liam Botham, Jac Morgan, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements:
Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Kieran Assiratti, Christ Tshiunza, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Sam Costelow, Eddie James.
[Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union]
