Autumn Nations Cup: Justin Tipuric returns for Wales against Ireland

Last updated on .From the section Welsh Rugbycomments121

Flanker Justin Tipuric missed the end of Wales' Six Nations campaign with tonsillitis
Flanker Justin Tipuric missed the end of Wales' Six Nations campaign with tonsillitis
Autumn Nations Cup: Ireland v Wales
Date: Friday, 13 November Kick-off: 19:00 GMT Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Coverage: Live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Sport website and app, S4C

Flanker Justin Tipuric returns from illness in the only Wales change for the Autumn Nations Cup opener against Ireland in Dublin on Friday.

Coach Wayne Pivac reverts to the side initially picked against Scotland with Tipuric ruled out on the morning of that defeat by tonsillitis.

Uncapped Bristol fly-half Callum Sheedy is on the bench, named in Wales' matchday squad for the first time.

George North will play his 100th Test if he comes on as a replacement.

The Ospreys wing has won 96 Wales caps and three for the British and Irish Lions, and Friday's game comes exactly 10 years since North won his first cap - scoring two tries on debut as an 18-year-old against South Africa in a 29-25 defeat.

Prop Tomas Francis will win his 50th cap, while new world record cap holder and Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones will play his 150th Test.

Changes among the replacements include the return of hooker Elliot Dee, prop Samson Lee and lock Jake Ball.

With North and Sheedy on the bench, there is no place for wing Louis Rees-Zammit or fly-half Rhys Patchell, while back-rows Josh Navidi and Ross Moriarty remain sidelined.

Navidi is in contention to face Georgia on 21 November after recovering from concussion but Moriarty has suffered a recurrence of an ankle injury and it's unsure he will return.

Injured scrum-half Rhys Webb is expected to return against England on 28 November after suffering a knock in the defeat against France on 24 October.

The settled nature of Wales' starting line-up comes in a week in which Wales parted company with defence coach Byron Hayward following five successive defeats.

Pivac says it is a chance for the players to make amends after the Scotland loss.

"I don't think we played a lot of rugby in the last match out, so there is a bit of that," said Pivac.

"We feel that this is a side that can negate some of Ireland's threats.

"We believe we can win whenever we take the field, against any opposition.

"The fact we haven't done that in a series of games now is not something we're comfortable with.

"We're working hard and trying to eliminate the errors in our game that are putting us under pressure.

"This tournament is a fresh opportunity. We've talked about that and are looking forward to it.

"Ireland away is a stiff challenge first up but there is no better challenge to find out how much improvement we've made over the last two weeks."

Wales' plight since an opening 2020 Six Nations win against Italy has put Pivac under pressure.

Former England wing Ugo Monye described Wales as "like a sinking ship" in the post-Warren Gatland era.

After Friday's Autumn Nations Cup opener, Wales have two home games against Georgia on 21 November and then England seven days later.

There will then be a final game on 5 December, with the opponent depending on placings in the two pools - with Scotland, France, Fiji and Italy the possibilities.

Wales: 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: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Aaron Wainwright, Lloyd Williams, Callum Sheedy, George North.

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121 comments

  • Class act Tips, Wales certainly need him at the moment.

    • Route1 replied:
      It’s testament to how good Warburton was that Tipuric hasn’t got 100 caps yet

  • Callum Sheedy is pure class. Gutted not to see him in an England shirt.

    AWJ highly deserves his plaudits. 150 tests, at a high standard. Love him, loath him...respect deserved.

    Not sure why Eddie Jones and Pivac seem to favour out of form players for the sake of Cap collections. Both Youngs and North are great servants of the game, but need to be moved on rather than retained to win 100 caps.

  • Have to admit I'm surprised. I thought this tournament was going to see most sides trying out new players, but Wales seem to be going for full strength. Even the bench seems more tried and tested players.

    I guess good to look for the win, but possibly a missed opportunity?

    • Route1 replied:
      A win is needed at all costs, at least Shane Lewis-Hughes has been blooded and did well v Scotland

      Front row worries me, especially at hooker, Ken Owens is our only true test quality 2 and he’s no spring chicken

  • On paper it's a decent team but it will be interesting to see if they play with more passion & spirit this time around. I'm happy to lose a meaningless 6 nations game (scotland) or a friendly v's France but we need to show some degree of progress towards Pivac's style. The Ireland game is a chance to do this. I don't think Wales will win but the performance is key.

    • TheLastKingOfEngland replied:
      Still early days for Pivac. Big challenge to have players who have only known Gatland & Gatland's way, and played that way for years, then change it in a few months. Probably more so in this year than any other.

      I personally would have tried some younger players in there, maybe ditch 1/2P play Williams at 15 and let LRZ have a run out? For example.

      Though, as you say, progress needs to be shown

  • I do not expect to win this game ( hope l am wrong mind) I think Pivac is giving a few. (most of them l believe) a chance to redeem themselves. If there is not a greatly improved performance a few are in the last chance saloon, same goes for Pivac l think

    • llareggub replied:
      I agree.

  • Tipuric for me is the best openside currently playing at test level, great to have him back

    I hope North has had a kick up the backside and fires up when he gets on, needs to get his mojo back

    Callum Sheedy is Biggars logical replacement one day, has been one of the best 10’s over the bridge for last few seasons and about time we capped him, Eddie can get lost !

    • peterthe great replied:
      North has had too many knocks on the head. Playing him is a gamble.

  • Amazed at some of the comments from the armchair fans
    Crying out for Zammit! well he's carrying a slight knock, Crying out for Navidi! well I'm sure he is still going through concussion protocols...Webb, Moriarty,Patchell etc etc all injured. Crying out for Tomkins! seriously he wasn't anything to write home about v Fra
    That's a good well balanced squad including a very bench considering the above

  • As an Englishman I've watched the Wales side decline over the past few matches. Something's obviously wrong in the coaching set up & it's painful to watch. I love watching Wales in full flow but I don't think things have been 100% since before the RWC.

    AWJ looks tired, the back row has lacked sharpness & Biggar seems to have constant shin splints.

    Here's to them getting good results again.

  • AWJ - 150 - LEGEND

    • TheLastKingOfEngland replied:
      Very true, congratulations to the guy. Hell of an achievement for any player.

  • Sorry to butt in - BBC where is the HYS on the Scotland announcement?

    • kevin replied:
      typical BBC as just select rather than any topic be discussed. For what its worth am looking forward if Fiji have full strength team under your old boss Cotter taking you on.... will be a real cracker as
      and might land up you playing us again at LLanelli

  • Don't think that team will beat Ireland. I expected more changes but I guess the coach wants to give them another chance. Need to brush up on my Welsh to watch it as I don't have Prime.

    • roy replied:
      This game is on channel 4

  • I don’t think Pivac is the problem it’s those that are under him. He’s got rid of Hayward which is a good thing that just leaves Humphreys and Stephen Jones and then maybe Wales can move forward a bit

    • daiboy replied:
      Been saying that since pivac took over if Humphries is a forwards coach I'm the Pope

  • I personally prefer Watkin in the centre to Tomkins. Would like to have seen Parry and Wyn Jones start in the front row and Sheedy start at 10

  • Chuffed for George North if he gets his 100th cap.

    With regards to Wales, after 12 years of punching above our weight, I'm not too upset at the current form. I'm happy to give Pivac free reign until after the next world cup. We're not seetting the world on fire at the moment but no one can deny his exploits with the Scarlets. He massively over-achieved.

    Also, if niot Pivac, who else?

    • SPC333 replied:
      I think the bigger issue is finding the right defence coach to replace edwards very hard job to do. i think pivac will be ok

  • It’s very difficult to win in Dublin, but almost impossible when the refs allow Ireland continual latch, seal off, flop - repeat and coming from the side without a bind.

    Still waiting for refs to get on top of this at the breakdown

    • The_IRB replied:
      Agreed. I'm also struggling to understand how it's OK for the entire team to be 10m ahead of the kicker on restarts.

  • Looks like so many people are writing Pivac off already. Give the guy time. He is the right coach for Wales I believe.

    • TheLastKingOfEngland replied:
      Following on from Gatland was always going to be a bit of a poisoned chalice.

  • This is definitely a damage limitation selection to enable Pivac to keep his job. Too many of this team are past their best and won’t be around in a year/18 months time. Go for youth like France as you are losing anyway with an older team. You’ve nothing to lose Wales so take a chance on some youth

  • Held my head in my hands and rolled my eyes when I saw Monye's comments.
    Queue Welsh backlash and massive win when they play England on the 28th.
    You shouldn't have jinxed it Ugo!

    • Steve D replied:
      Monye is like Healy, a total plank.

  • Ollie Griffiths should be propelled into the squad, as a Dragons season ticket holder I maintain he is the best of a good Gwent bunch for some time now, best turnover specialist in Welsh Rugby. James Davies assumedly consigned to view previous selection from perspective of a few cap "wonders" so there is something of progress in the West Walian selection committee's thought thought process.

  • Definitely missing that resolve from under SE:

    - Lost to England by 3
    - Lost to France by 4
    - Lost to Scotland by 4

    Early days, but lacking that edge to close tight matches that we shut the door on in 2019.

    We'll be competitive, which is all we can ask for given this is year 1 into the Pivac era.

    C+ - Must try harder

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