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Wainwright to start World Cup opener

21/09/2019

Dragons back row Aaron Wainwright is handed a starting spot as Wales name an experienced side to take on Georgia in their Rugby World Cup opener in Toyota on Monday (KO 19.15 local, 11.15am UK).

Wainwright starts while regional team-mates Ross Moriarty and Elliot Dee will provide firepower from the bench.

Captain Alun Wyn Jones will equal the record of most test appearances for his country when he draws level with Gethin Jenkins on 129 Welsh caps.

Jones will pack down in the second row alongside Jake Ball with Wainwright, Justin Tipuric and Josh Navidi named in the back-row. Wyn Jones, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis comprise the front-row.

Ten of Wales’ starting XV have RWC experience and that includes at half-back where Gareth Davies will line-up alongside Dan Biggar.

Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies are named in the midfield with Josh Adams, George North and Liam Williams named in the back-three for Wales’ opening test.

On the bench Dee, Nicky Smith and Dillon Lewis are named as the front row replacements with Aaron Shingler and Moriarty completing the forward cover. Tomos Williams, Rhys Patchell and Leigh Halfpenny complete the matchday 23.

\WALES TEAM TO FACE GEORGIA, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 23 KO 19.15 (11.15am UK)

1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (13 Caps)

2. Ken Owens (Scarlets) (67 Caps)

3. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (43 Caps)

4. Jake Ball (Scarlets) (36 Caps)

5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (128 Caps) (CAPT)

6. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (12 Caps)

7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (66 Caps)

8. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues) (19 Caps)

9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (44 Caps)

10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints) (73 Caps)

11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues) (14 Caps)

12. Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (18 Caps)

13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (76 Caps)

14. George North (Ospreys) (86 Caps)

15. Liam Williams (Saracens) (58 Caps)

Replacements:

16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) (22 Caps)

17. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (31 Caps)

18. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues) (15 Caps)

19. Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (20 Caps)

20. Ross Moriarty (Dragons) (34 Caps)

21. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues) (9 Caps)

22. Rhys Patchell (Scarlets) (13 Caps)

23. Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (82 Caps)

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