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Shane Lewis-Hughes to make Wales debut against Scotland, Liam Williams returns

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Published in Rugby
Thursday, 29 October 2020 04:53

Cardiff Blues blindside flanker Shane Lewis-Hughes will make his international debut by starting against Scotland in the delayed Six Nations finale on Saturday.

Lewis-Hughes, 23, was not named in the original 38-man squad.

Liam Williams returns to replace wing George North, while prop Tomas Francis and lock Will Rowlands are included.

Captain Alun Wyn Jones will break the world caps record by playing in his 149th international.

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has made six changes to the side that lost 38-21 to France last Saturday.

Lewis-Hughes was brought in as injury cover for fellow back-rowers Ross Moriarty and Josh Navidi, who are both unavailable.

Navidi has not played this season after suffering concussion in a training session, while Moriarty was due to start in Paris before picking up an ankle injury.

Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau formed the back row in Paris.

Tipuric and Faletau retain their starting places but Wainwright is left out of the match-day squad, with James Davies kept on the bench as back-row cover.

Lewis-Hughes has played 36 times for Cardiff Blues since making his debut against in the 2016-17 season.

"Shane is a young guy that we see having a big future in the game," said Pivac.

"He has probably come in a little bit earlier than anticipated with the injuries but he is a guy that has trained the house down and got everybody talking with the camp.

"Alun Wyn Jones' comments that 'I have waited 15 years for you to come along' tells you something about his work ethic. The way he trains, he is very similar to a young Alun Wyn Jones. We hope things go well for him."

Other inclusions see the return of Exeter prop Francis and Wasps second row Will Rowlands to bolster the pack after facing each other in the English Premiership final last weekend.

"Tomas and Will have both been in club sides that are riding high and both performed well in training this week and we wanted to include them at some time early on," added Pivac.

"Will was in the Six Nations squad and Tomas was injured so we get to see them now again."

Scarlets scrum-half Gareth Davies replaces the injured Rhys Webb, with Cardiff Blues number nine Lloyd Williams brought in as cover on to the replacements bench despite Kieran Hardy being named in the initial squad.

Centre Nick Tompkins drops to the bench with Owen Watkin taking his place at 12 to line-up alongside Jonathan Davies in midfield.

"Owen has played 20 odd tests," added Pivac.

"Given the expected conditions as well we need a big powerful midfield combination."

Williams returns on the wing having played his first game in seven months for Scarlets against Benetton last Friday and forms a back three with Leigh Halfpenny and Josh Adams.

North and Gloucester teenage wing Louis Rees-Zammit drop out of the match-day 23. North has been dropped while Rees-Zammit is injured.

"Liam has a wealth of experience and can play 15 as well and gives a little extra for us," said Pivac.

"It is about a little bit of form with George at the moment and he knows that. He will work hard at his game to get back to where he was at the England match in March.

"Louis has picked up an injury to do with his shin so he is struggling to run on that so he won't be able to train this week."

Pivac also praised his captain on his world record achievement.

"It's a fantastic day for Alun Wyn," said Pivac.

"He is a tremendous leader in this group and leads by example. When he speaks everybody listens. He is always matter-of-fact, to the point and just a tremendous guy to have in our environment.

"We are so pleased he is going to get the record and he has had to wait longer than we anticipated with the summer tour off but to do it in a Six Nations match will be special for him."

Wales team

Leigh Halfpenny; Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Rhys Carre, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Shane Lewis-Hughes, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Sam Parry, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Cory Hill, James Davies, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Patchell, Nick Tompkins.

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