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Navidi and Evans called onto Wales bench

First Team News | 15th August 2019


Cardiff Blues stars Josh Navidi and Jarrod Evans have been called onto Wales' bench for Saturday's Rugby World Cup warm-up clash against England at Principality Stadium on Saturday (KO 2.15pm)

Warren Gatland has made a total of three changes for the encounter in the Welsh capital, as new Cardiff Blues wing, Josh Adams, retains the number 11 shirt in an unchanged back three.

Prop Dillon Lewis also retains his spot in the matchday 23, joining Navidi and Evans on the bench, having featured in the second half at Twickenham on Sunday.

Dan Biggar takes the number 10 jersey, following Gareth Anscombe's injury, with Scarlets duo Jake Ball and James Davies introduced into the pack.

Outside half Evans will be pressing for a ticket to the Japan next month, and is in line to win his second international cap having made his debut against Scotland last season.

Gatland said: "This weekend is another opportunity for us to take the field, test ourselves and continue our preparation for Japan.

"It is a little over five weeks until we kick off our campaign in Toyota against Georgia and it is important we are fully prepared and rugby-ready by then.

"We were disappointed to get the loss last weekend so it is important we step it up on Saturday and put in a big display in front a of a packed Principality Stadium.

"The squad are looking forward to getting back out there, taking another step towards the RWC and putting in a big performance."

Flanker Davies will line-up alongside brother, Jonathan, for the first time on the international stage, becoming the first pair of brothers to represent Wales since Cardiff Blues' Nicky and Jamie Robinson in 2006.

WALES TEAM TO FACE ENGLAND, SATURDAY AUGUST 17 (KO 14.15 CHANNEL 4/SKY SPORTS):
15. Liam Williams (Saracens) (56 Caps)
14. George North (Ospreys) (84 Caps)
13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (74 Caps)
12. Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (16 Caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues) (11 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints) (71 Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (42 Caps)
1. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (29 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets) (65 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (41 Caps)
4. Jake Ball (Scarlets) (33 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (C) (Ospreys) (126 Caps)
6. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (9 Caps)
7. James Davies (Scarlets) (3 Caps)
8. Ross Moriarty (Dragons) (32 Caps)

Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) (19 Caps)
17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (13 Caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues) (13 Caps)
19. Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (18 Caps)
20. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues) (16 Caps)
21. Aled Davies (Ospreys) (17 Caps)
22. Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Blues) (1 Cap)
23. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (14 Caps)