Share

Patchell gets the nod to start against Irish

Cardiff - Rhys Patchell's impressive second-half performance in the 22-17 defeat to Ireland last Saturday has earned the flyhalf the starting spot for Wales's final World Cup Test against the same opponents on Saturday.

The 26-year-old transformed the Welsh when he came on for the second period as they came back from 22-3 down to pull to within five points, Patchell scoring a try to boot.

That gave him the edge over Jarrod Evans as backup to flyhalf Dan Biggar - who himself was second pick behind Gareth Anscombe until the latter suffered a knee injury last month.

Patchell teams up again with scrumhalf Tomos Williams, who also came on for the second-half against the Irish.

The halfbacks are relatively raw in terms of Test rugby but will have the experienced centre partnership of Jonathan Davies and Hadleigh Parkes outside them.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has recalled several others of his front line players - having given some fringe players the chance to book their ticket to Japan in the Test last Saturday in Cardiff.

The likes of fullback Leigh Halfpenny, who only returned to Test rugby after a long absence in the victory over England last month, try machine George North, No 8 Ross Moriarty and Justin Tipuric will line-up.

The side will be captained by veteran lock Alun Wyn Jones, who skippered them to the Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year sealing it with a dominant performance over the Irish in Cardiff.

Gatland, who brings the curtain down on his 12 year tenure which has yielded three Grand Slams after the World Cup, said Saturday permitted some players to put pressure on the incumbents for a starting spot in their first game in Japan against Georgia.

"This is our final preparation match so it is important we get enough rugby into us, get rugby ready ahead of our RWC opener against Georgia (September 23) which is just over two weeks away," said the 55-year-old New Zealander, who flies out with the team on Wednesday.

"It is important we hit the ground running in Japan and we give the players enough time on the field.

"Saturday is the first time these players would have taken to the field as members of the RWC squad, it has been a big week and it is a big opportunity for players to put their hand up and secure spots for the starting XV in Japan."

Teams:

Wales

15 Leigh Halfpenny; 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Josh Adams; 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Tomos Williams; 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Aaron Wainwright; 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captian), 4 Jake Ball; 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Wyn Jones

Subtitutes: 16 Ken Owen, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Josh Navidi, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Dan Biggar, 23 Liam Williams

Ireland

15 Rob Kearney; 14 Jordan Larmour, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Keith Earls; 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray; 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 CJ Stander; 5 Jean Kleyn, 4 James Ryan; 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rory Best (capt), 1 Cian Healy

Substitutes: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Garry Ringrose

 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
loading... Live
Titans RSA 155/8
Lions 154/8
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1818 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1778 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE