Skip to content

Warren Gatland makes 14 changes to Wales team for Georgia Test

By Joe Shread

Thursday 16 November 2017 12:16, UK

Wales head coach Warren Gatland
Image: Warren Gatland has made 14 changes for the Test against Georgia

Wales have announced their team to play Georgia in their second autumn Test, with Warren Gatland making 14 changes to the side that lost 21-29 to Australia last weekend.

Dan Lydiate will captain the side, with Liam Williams being the only player to keep his place from the Australia Test.

Four players will make their first starts for Wales - Owen Watkin, Leon Brown, Adam Beard and Sam Cross. The game will take place in Cardiff, with Georgia coming off the back of a 54-22 victory over Canada in Tbilisi last Saturday.

CARDIFF, WALES - NOVEMBER 11: Liam Williams of Wales is closed down by Will Genia and Bernard Foley of Australia during the Autumn International between Wa
Image: Liam Williams is the only player who will start against Georgia having also started against Australia

The Georgia Test will be the third time that Lydiate has captained his country, but the first time that he has played since lining up against South Africa 12 months ago.

Another player making his first Wales appearance in over a year is Rhys Priestland, who was last seen in the red of Wales in Dunedin, New Zealand, in June 2016.

Gatland's XV also includes Rhys Webb, whose scheduled move to Toulon at the end of the season is set to rule him out of Wales contention, due to their new selection criteria.

There is experience on the bench, with Tomas Francis, Taulupe Faletau and Dan Biggar named as replacements. The uncapped Elliot Dee is also included.

Also See:

Wales head coach Warren Gatland (L) and captain Dan Lydiate
Image: Dan Lydiate will captain the side in his first appearance for a year

Upon announcing his squad, Gatland said: "We felt this week was really important to give a number of the squad as much exposure as possible.

"It is an exciting opportunity for some of the younger guys to take the field and show us what they are capable of.

"Georgia are coming to Cardiff on the back of a good victory last weekend and they will be looking to show what they can do on this stage and we have to be ready for that."

Wales: 15 Liam Williams; 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Owen Watkin; 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Rhys Webb; 1 Nicky Smith, 2 Kristian Dacey, 3 Leon Brown; 4 Adam Beard, 5 Cory Hill; 6 Dan Lydiate, 7 Sam Cross, 8 Seb Davies.

Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Josh Navidi, 20 Taulupe Faletau, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Dan Biggar, 23 Owen Williams.

Around Sky

Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch more games than ever before

Not got Sky? Get instant access to Sky Sports with no contract