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Lewis-Hughes and Halaholo in Wales squad to face Barbarians

International | 19th November 2019


Uncapped Cardiff Blues duo, Shane Lewis-Hughes and Willis Halaholo, have been included in the Wales squad to take on Barbarians later this month.

The back row and centre are joined by seven of their regional team-mates as new head coach, Wayne Pivac, picks his first 35-man squad since taking over after the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

In the backs, Halaholo is named alongside academy products Tomos Williams, Jarrod Evans, Owen Lane and summer signings Josh Adams and Hallam Amos.

The centre became Welsh qualified earlier this season, having joined Wales' Capital Region in 2016, and has formed a formidable centre partnership with Rey Lee-Lo at the Arms Park.

Dillon Lewis and Seb Davies join Lewis-Hughes in the pack, as a total of eight Cardiff Blues academy products are named.

Impressive form has seen Lewis-Hughes force his way into John Mulvihill's starting back row this season, featuring in all seven of his side's matches to date.

The other uncapped players included in Pivac's squad are Dragons duo Taine Basham and Ashton Hewitt, as well as Scarlets back three star, Johnny McNicholl.

On announcing his first Wales squad, Pivac said: “It is great to get the squad announced and get the ball rolling on our first meet-up and first fixture next week.

“This Barbarians game is a great chance for us as a new squad and management to get together and to set the scene for what we are looking to do. Having this opportunity ahead of tournament rugby in the Six Nations is ideal for us.

“It is also a great chance for some players to really put their hand up and show what they are about and take to the field in front of a big crowd at home.

“We will be bringing a few additional players in to train with the squad during the week, just to see them in the environment and will also be bringing some of the injured players in for some of the scene setting style sessions.”

Saturday November 30:
11.45am Wales Women v Barbarians
14.45pm Wales Men v Barbarians

Wales squad for Barbarians (Saturday, Nov 30, KO 14.45)
Forwards:
Elliot Dee (Dragons) (29 Caps)
Ryan Elias (Scarlets) (9 Caps)
Ken Owens (Scarlets) (73 Caps)
Rob Evans (Scarlets) (36 Caps)
Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (22 Caps)
Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (35 Caps)
Leon Brown (Dragons) (6 Caps)
Samson Lee (Scarlets) (41 Caps)
Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues) (22 Caps)
Jake Ball (Scarlets) (42 Caps)
Adam Beard (Ospreys) (20 Caps)
Bradley Davies (Ospreys) (66 Caps)
Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues) (7 Caps)
Taine Basham (Dragons) (Uncapped)
Ollie Griffiths (Dragons) (1 Cap)
Shane Lewis-Hughes (Cardiff Blues) (Uncapped)
Ross Moriarty (Dragons) (41 Caps)
Aaron Shingler (Scarlets) (26 Caps)
Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (72 Caps)
Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (18 Caps)

Backs:
Aled Davies (Ospreys) (20 Caps)
Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (51 Caps)
Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues) (16 Caps)
Sam Davies (Dragons) (8 Caps)
Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Blues) (3 Caps)
Willis Halaholo (Cardiff Blues) (Uncapped)
Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (25 Caps)
Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (22 Caps)
Owen Lane (Cardiff Blues) (2 Caps)
Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues) (21 Caps)
Steff Evans (Scarlets) (13 Caps)
Ashton Hewitt (Dragons) (Uncapped)
Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets) (Uncapped)
Hallam Amos (Cardiff Blues) (22 Caps)
Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (85 Caps)