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Morgan set for debut as Wales name team to face Scotland

INPHO
Luke Morgan will make his Test debut on Saturday after being named in the Wales team to face Scotland while Alun Wyn Jones makes his return as captain.

Luke Morgan will make his Test debut on Saturday after being named in the Wales team to face Scotland while Alun Wyn Jones makes his return as captain.

Morgan is Wales’ all-time record points scorer in Sevens and has impressed since making the switch to XVs this season.

And he comes straight in to start on the wing against Scotland in a repeat of the opening game of the 2018 Six Nations.

Cardiff Blues fly-half Jarrod Evans is also in line for a debut after being named on the bench while a number of players return having been rested for the summer tour.

Chief among them is Jones, who takes on the captaincy in the second row alongside Cory Hill, with Jonathan Davies back for the first time in a year.

Elsewhere Gareth Anscombe gets the nod at fly-half, linking up with Gareth Davies with Leigh Halfpenny and George North starting in the back three alongside Morgan.

Up front, Nicky Smith and Dillon Lewis will be the starting props either side of Ken Owens, and in the back row Dan Lydiate and Justin Tipuric are on the flanks with Ross Moriarty at No.8.

And Rob Howley is excited to see what Morgan and Evans can do given the chance on the biggest stage at Principality Stadium.

He said: “It is great to reward players on form and we are looking forward to seeing Luke make his debut on the wing. He has come through the Sevens system, he will bring a point of difference to the squad and it’s a great opportunity for him. Likewise it will be good to see Jarrod from the bench and hopefully seeing some x-factor from him.

“We have created good strength in depth, especially from the summer and have a nice balance bringing seven Lions back into the team.

“We are very respectful of this Scotland team and are looking forward to what should be a great opening match.”

WALES SQUAD TO PLAY SCOTLAND (Saturday November 3 KO 14.45)

15. Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) 14. George North (Ospreys) 13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) 12. Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) 11. Luke Morgan (Ospreys) 10. Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) 9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) 1. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) 2. Ken Owens (Scarlets) 3. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues) 4. Cory Hill (Dragons) 5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (c) 6. Dan Lydiate (Ospreys) 7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) 8. Ross Moriarty (Dragons)

REPLACEMENTS:

16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) 17. Rob Evans (Scarlets) 18. Leon Brown (Dragons) 19. Adam Beard (Ospreys) 20. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) 21. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues) 22. Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Blues) 23. Steff Evans (Scarlets)