Six Scarlets named in Wales team to take on Australia

Menna IsaacNews

Wales have made three changes to their starting XV to face Australia in Cardiff on Saturday.


Tomas Francis, Adam Beard and Josh Adams all come into the starting XV from the side that beat Scotland in Wales’ opening Under Armour Series clash.

Warren Gatland has rewarded players for their summer tour performances in his selection with Adams the only change in the backline.

He features in the back-three alongside Leigh Halfpenny and George North with Scarlets duo Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies named in midfield.  Gareth Anscombe and Gareth Davies continue their partnership at half-back.

In the pack Francis comes into the front-row alongside Nicky Smith and Elliot Dee.

Beard, who started both tests against Argentina in the summer, packs down alongside captain Alun Wyn Jones.  The back-row of Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty remains unchanged from the opening encounter.

WALES SQUAD TO PLAY AUSTRALIA (Saturday November 10 KO 17.20)
15. Leigh Halfpenny (79 Caps)
14. George North (77 Caps)
13. Jonathan Davies (66 Caps)
12. Hadleigh Parkes (9 Caps)
11. Josh Adams (4 Caps)
10. Gareth Anscombe (19 Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (34 Caps)
1. Nicky Smith (22 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (58 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (33 Caps)
4. Adam Beard (5 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (118 Caps) (CAPT)
6. Dan Lydiate (63 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (58 Caps)
8. Ross Moriarty (24 Caps)

REPLACEMENTS:
16. Elliot Dee (11 Caps)
17. Rob Evans (28 Caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (6 Caps)
19. Cory Hill (19 Caps)
20. Ellis Jenkins (8 Caps)