Wales open their 2023 Six Nations campaign against Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday, February 4 (2.15pm kick-off); Warren Gatland returns for his second spell as head coach, after previously being in charge between 2007-2019; centre Joe Hawkins and wing Rio Dyer both named in XV
Thursday 2 February 2023 13:22, UK
Full-back Leigh Halfpenny has been ruled out of Wales' Guinness Six Nations opener against Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday.
Halfpenny was due to win his 98th cap and make a first Wales start for 19 months, but assistant coach Jonathan Humphreys said he had suffered a back spasm and would miss the game.
Experienced Cardiff back Liam Williams will replace Halfpenny in the number 15 shirt.
Williams missed Wales' entire Autumn Nations Series campaign this season because of injury, and has not started for his country since last summer's South Africa tour.
Humphreys said: "Unfortunately, Leigh had a back spasm this morning and Liam will be playing.
"I think it's more disappointing for him as a person. He is an unbelievable professional and an unbelievable person.
"He has got to pick himself up again. You feel for him that he's got to pull out at this late stage.
"Liam is good to go."
Inexperienced duo Joe Hawkins and Rio Dyer have been named in the Wales backline as Warren Gatland's second stint in charge begins.
Ospreys centre Hawkins (one cap) partners George North in midfield, while Dragons wing Dyer (three caps) joins Josh Adams in the backline.
Alun Wyn Jones starts in the second row, while Dan Biggar is named at fly-half after missing the autumn through injury, but hooker Ken Owens will lead the side as skipper.
In-form back-row Jac Morgan, meanwhile, has also been named to start against Andy Farrell's Ireland at the Principality Stadium.
Elsewhere in the side, loosehead Gareth Thomas and tighthead Tomas Francis form the front row either side of Owens, while Adam Beard partners Jones in the second row.
"Kicking off this first game, we're looking for some experience and continuity," said Gatland. "The message to the squad is that people will get an opportunity in this Six Nations.
"We want to do well in this Six Nations, but we have to think long-term about the next seven or eight months in terms of the development of guys who haven't had much Test rugby and how we get them ready for France (World Cup)."
Vastly experienced pair Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau complete the back row with Morgan.
Tomas Williams starts at scrum-half, with the returning Rhys Webb - his first call-up for three years - named among the replacements.
Gatland said: "We've picked Joe at 12. He's a lovely footballer with some great skills. I thought for his first cap he was outstanding so we've given him another opportunity. There's some real competition in the midfield at the moment, so I'm really excited about that.
"There's a mixture in the team of some experience, some younger players. We were conscious as well picking the bench. We think we've got a bench that can come on and have an impact.
"Ireland are the No 1 team in the world, so they're going to be coming here with a lot of confidence. You don't become the No 1 team in the world without having some pretty consistent performances.
"We know how good they are and we're expecting a really tough contest. It's important for us that we start well, but we need to be in the game at the last 20 minutes.
"We've only had a couple of weeks together but I'm confident that the guys will go out and give a good account of themselves. They're pretty excited about playing this first game at home."
Former captain Wyn Jones wins his 156th cap at the age of 37, Gatland hopeful younger members of the squad are able to draw on his experience.
"I sat down with Alun Wyn and had a good discussion about where he is, and I just said we need to bring some of the other second-rows on as well and give them some game-time going forward," Gatland said.
"He is well aware of that. He has been fantastic in the past week or so in terms of his voice and experience, and I want those younger second-rows to learn from that experience.
"I have always been a great admirer of his, but we've got to go through the process of some transition."
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Josh Adams, 13 George North, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Tomos Williams; 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Ken Owens (c), 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Adam Beard, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Jac Morgan, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Dafydd Jenkins, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Owen Williams, 23 Alex Cuthbert
