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What are the teams for Wales v Georgia?

Wales’ Josh Adams  30/10/2021
Wales take on Georgia for just the fourth time in history on Saturday as Wayne Pivac’s side bid for back-to-back Autumn Nations Series wins.

Wales take on Georgia for just the fourth time in history on Saturday as Wayne Pivac’s side bid for back-to-back Autumn Nations Series wins.

Victory over a strong Argentina side cast off any lingering disappointment from the defeat against New Zealand in Round 1.

Standing in their way this week are Georgia, who tasted defeat against Samoa for the first time on home soil last week.

This is the Lelos’ final November fixture, so they will be looking to finish strongly, while Wales will be hoping to maintain momentum ahead of the visit of Australia.

Adams return headlines six changes to Wales team

Josh Adams returns to the wing having missed the first two rounds of the Autumn Nations Series through injury.

He is one of six changes for Pivac’s side, with three each in the forwards and backs.

Josh Macleod is in the line to make his debut having been selected at No.8, while Jac Morgan starts at flanker and Ben Carter makes just his fourth international start in the second row.

Rhys Priestland replaces Gareth Anscombe at fly-half and Owen Watkin comes in for his first start of the autumn at centre.

There could be two further debutants for Wales, with lock Dafydd Jenkins – who this week became the youngest captain in Premiership rugby history – and scrum-half Dane Blacker both in contention for a first cap from the replacements bench.

Pivac said: “Josh Macleod’s a player that’s been really unfortunate in the past. We’ve wanted to use him on a couple of occasions, so this is very much third time lucky for him.

“He covers the back row. We know a lot about him, I’ve coached him at the Scarlets. He brings a lot of energy, he’s very strong over the ball and in tandem with Jac Morgan hopefully that will be a strong part of our game on the weekend.

“We’re looking forward to seeing him go at this level and seeing the physicality that he will bring.”

Georgia

Alexander Todua will win his 100th cap for Georgia, as the Lelos have named a largely familiar side to face Wales in their sole Autumn Nations Series fixture.

Todua will line up in the back three alongside Mirian Modebadze and Davit Niniashvili as he marks a century of appearances for his nation.

Giorgi Chkoidze will pack down  in the middle of the front row in between Guram Gogichashvili and Guram Papidze, who will earn his second cap in Cardiff.

Nodar Cheishvili and Konstantin Mikautadze comprise an experienced second row, while Beka Saghinadze, Beka Gorgadze and Tornike Jalagonia complete the back row, as Otar Giorgadze drops out.

Wales: 15. Louis Rees-Zammit, 14. Alex Cuthbert, 13. George North, 12. Owen Watkin, 11. Josh Adams, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Tomos Williams; 1. Gareth Thomas, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Dillon Lewis, 4. Ben Carter, 5. Adam Beard, 6. Jac Morgan, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Josh Macleod

Replacements: 16. Bradley Roberts, 17. Rhodri Jones, 18. Sam Wainwright, 19. Dafydd Jenkins, 20. Taulupe Faletau, 21. Dane Blacker, 22. Sam Costelow, 23. Leigh Halfpenny

Georgia: 15. Davit Niniashvili, 14. Mirian Modebadze, 13. Demur Tapladze, 12. Merab Sharikadze, 11. Alexander Todua, 10. Tedo Abzhandadze, 9. Vasil Lobzhanidze, 1. Guram Gogichashvili, 2. Giorgi Chkoidze, 3. Guram Papidze, 4. Nodar Cheishvili, 5. Kote Mikautadze, 6. Beka Saghinadze, 7. Beka Gorgadze, 8. Tornike Jalagonia

Replacements: 16. Shalva Mamukashvili, 17. Nika Abuladze, 18. Alexandre Kuntelia, 19. Lado Chachanidze, 20. Sandro Mamamtavrishvili, 21. Luka Matkava, 22. Lasha Khmaladze, 23. Lasha Lomidze