Jump to main content
Three uncapped in Wales’ starting XV for Georgia

Kieran Hardy is one of four uncapped players in the matchday squad.

Three uncapped in Wales’ starting XV for Georgia

Wales have named three uncapped players in their starting XV to face Georgia at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday (KO 17.15, live on Amazon Prime & S4C).

Share this page:

Flanker James Botham, scrum-half Kieran Hardy and centre Johnny Williams will all earn their first cap in Llanelli.

There are further milestones in the starting line-up as Wales continue to look to the future and build for the next Rugby World Cup cycle, with Callum Sheedy and Louis Rees-Zammit both making their first starts for their country.

DFP – Leaderboard

An experienced front-row of Wyn Jones, Elliot Dee and Samson Lee are named with Jake Ball and Seb Davies packing down in the second-row.

Botham, who trained with the national squad as part of this year’s Guinness Six Nations, will make his debut in the back-row, alongside captain Justin Tipuric and Aaron Wainwright.

Hardy will make his debut at his regional home ground and partner Sheedy who starts at fly-half for the first time.

Williams will be partnered on his first appearance by Nick Tompkins in the midfield with Rees-Zammit, Johnny McNicholl and Liam Williams comprising the back-three.

“Saturday is a huge opportunity for the players and for us as a squad looking ahead to the future and to RWC 2023,” said Wales head coach Wayne Pivac.

“As we have said all along, the Autumn Nations Cup is a great platform for us to give opportunities to players, to build depth and experience.

“It’s a great honour for the new caps and the players making their first starts, they have trained well and deserve this opportunity to represent their country.”

Sam Parry, Nicky Smith and Leon Brown provide the front-row cover on the bench with Cory Hill and James Davies completing the forward contingent. Rhys Webb, uncapped Ioan Lloyd and Jonah Holmes provide the back-line cover.

WALES TEAM TO PLAY GEORGIA (Saturday November 21 KO17.15):

15. Liam Williams (Scarlets) (65 Caps)
14. Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets) (4 Caps)
13. Nick Tompkins (Dragons) (6 Caps)
12. Johnny Williams (Scarlets) (*Uncapped)
11. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester) (1 Cap)
10. Callum Sheedy (Bristol Bears) (1 Cap)
9. Kieran Hardy (Scarlets) (*Uncapped)
1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (27 Caps)
2. Elliot Dee (Dragons) (30 Caps)
3. Samson Lee (Scarlets) (43 Caps)
4. Jake Ball (Scarlets) (47 Caps)
5. Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues) (8 Caps)
6. James Botham (Cardiff Blues) (*Uncapped)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (78 Caps) (CAPT)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (24 Caps)

REPLACEMENTS:
16. Sam Parry (Ospreys) (2 Caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (36 Caps)
18. Leon Brown (Dragons) (10 Caps)
19. Cory Hill (Cardiff Blues) (27 Caps)
20. James Davies (Scarlets) (9 Caps)
21. Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (34 Caps)
22. Ioan Lloyd (Bristol Bears) (*Uncapped)
23. Jonah Holmes (Dragons) (3 Caps)

Note: George North has been released back to his region (Ospreys) for action this weekend.

Partners and Suppliers

Principal Partners
Principality
Admiral
Three uncapped in Wales’ starting XV for Georgia
Vodafone
Go.Compare
Official Broadcast Partners
S4C
BBC Cymru/Wales
Official Partners
Guinness
Three uncapped in Wales’ starting XV for Georgia
Three uncapped in Wales’ starting XV for Georgia
Heineken
Three uncapped in Wales’ starting XV for Georgia
The Indigo Group
Three uncapped in Wales’ starting XV for Georgia
Official Suppliers
Gilbert
Three uncapped in Wales’ starting XV for Georgia
Rhino Rugby
Sportseen
Three uncapped in Wales’ starting XV for Georgia
Three uncapped in Wales’ starting XV for Georgia
Princes Gate
Three uncapped in Wales’ starting XV for Georgia
Amber
Opro
Total Energies
Seat Unique
Nocco
Castell Howell
Glamorgan Brewing
Ted Hopkins
Hawes & Curtis