WARREN Gatland has named his starting team for Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Scotland with 22-year-old Josh Adams set to make his debut on the wing.
Leigh Halfpenny and Steff Evans complete the back-three alongside Adams with Hadleigh Parkes and Scott Williams partnering in the midfield.
Rhys Patchell and Gareth Davies take their regional partnership at centre on to the international stage.
Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Samson Lee pack down together with Cory Hill named alongside captain Alun Wyn Jones in the second-row.
Aaron Shingler and Josh Navidi, who started alongside each other three times in the autumn, start with British & Irish Lion Ross Moriarty at number eight.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland said: The first-up game against Scotland this weekend is really important for us and this is a chance for this group of players to get us off to a good start.
“We have been watching Josh (Adams) closely, he is top try scorer in the English Premiership and we are excited for him.
There was much speculation surrounding the announcement after a raft of injuries were announced ahead of the tournament.
Wales will be hoping to prove a point after a string of inconsistent performances during the Autumn Internationals.
Warren Gatland will be speaking to the press and The Cardiffian will bring you updates from 1pm.
Wales’ team reads as follows:
FORWARDS
1. Rob Evans (Scarlets, 20 caps),
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets, 52 caps)
3. Samson Lee (Scarlets, 34 caps)
4. Cory Hill (Dragons, 10 caps)
5. Alun-Wyn Jones (c) (Ospreys, 113 caps)
6. Aaron Shingler (Scarlets, 13 caps)
7. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues, 7 caps)
8. Ross Moriarty (Gloucester, 17 caps)
BACKS
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets. 27 caps)
10. Rhys Patchell (Scarlets, 5 caps)
11. Steff Evans (Scarlets, 5 caps)
12. Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets, 1 cap)
13. Scott Williams (Scarlets, 51 caps)
14. Josh Adams (Worcester, uncapped)
15. Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets, 74 caps)
Replacements:
Elliot Dee (Dragons, 2 caps)
Wyn Jones (Scarlets, 5 caps)
Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs, 26 caps)
Bradley Davies (Ospreys, 57 caps)
Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, 57 caps)
Aled Davies (Scarlets, 5 caps)
Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues, 11 caps)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys, 2 caps)
