Wednesday 3 February 2016 13:44, UK
Tom James has been named to the Wales starting XV for the first time in more than five years for Sunday's Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin.
The Cardiff Blues winger has not played for his country since the autumn internationals in 2010 but Warren Gatland has given him the chance to win a 10th cap opposite George North at the Aviva Stadium.
James has been in fine form in domestic rugby this season and beat off competition from Hallam Amos for a spot on the left wing, with Amos missing out on a place on the bench as well.
Justin Tipuric is named in the back-row ahead of Dan Lydiate and there is also a chance for Rob Evans to shine after he was preferred to Gethin Jenkins at loosehead prop.
Gatland has opted for Cardiff's Gareth Anscombe at full-back with Liam Williams not 100 per cent fit after missing most of the season so far with an injury sustained during the Rugby World Cup. He only returned for the Scarlets last weekend and played 60 minutes.
Jenkins takes a place on the bench along with Bradley Davies, who will win his 50th cap if he comes on, Rhys Priestland and Alex Cuthbert.
"We are excited by the make-up of the squad, it's very experienced along with one eye looking to the future," Gatland said.
"Rob (Evans) gets a start at loose-head, he's played well for us before and deserves a chance looking ahead to the next few years.
"We have been impressed with Tom James' form for Cardiff Blues and we are excited by the mix of the back-row which has played well together before. It's great to see Jonathan (Davies) back and alongside Jamie, which makes a pretty experienced midfield. Gareth (Anscombe) at full-back also gives us the option of having two first receivers.
"We have a very experienced bench, with a lot of caps there and hopefully they will come on and make an impact.
"It's going to be a physical game. Two years ago they strangled us out of the match and played well and we have to rise to that challenge on Sunday."
Wales: 15 Gareth Anscombe; 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts; 11 Tom James; 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Rob Evans, 2 Scott Baldwin; 3 Samson Lee, 4 Luke Charteris, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Sam Warburton (c), 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Bradley Davies, 20 Dan Lydiate, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Alex Cuthbert.
