Seven Cardiff players in Wales squad to play Queensland Reds

Senior men’s head coach Warren Gatland has named seven Cardiff players in the Wales squad to face the Queensland Reds in an uncapped fixture at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane on Friday 19 July (KO 10.55 BST, 19.55 local time live on Sky Sports).

Evan Lloyd, Mackenzie Martin and Cam Winnett make the starting XV, and Efan Daniel, Corey Domachowski, Ben Thomas and Mason Grady are on the bench.

Regan Grace, named on the wing, will make his first outing for Wales in rugby union having already represented his country in rugby league.

Loose-head prop Kemsley Mathias, hooker Evan Lloyd, No. 8 Mackenzie Martin and centre Eddie James all start in the red jersey for the first time.

Replacement hooker Efan Daniel would be in line for his first Wales appearance from the bench.

Archie Griffin continues at tight-head.

Cory Hill will captain the side, he partners Matthew Screech in the second row.

Christ Tshiunza is named at blind-side flanker while Taine Plumtree moves to open-side flanker.

Gareth Davies is at scrum-half and Sam Costelow is at fly-half.

Nick Tompkins pairs up with James in the midfield.

Rio Dyer joins Grace on the wing. Cameron Winnett completes the starting line-up at full-back.

Corey Domachowski and Harri O’Connor join Daniel as the front row cover for Wales. Dafydd Jenkins and Tommy Reffell are the other forward replacements.

Back-line cover is provided by Kieran Hardy, Ben Thomas and Mason Grady.

Gatland said: “We said that we want the players that have come out here on tour to have an involvement whether that is starting or in the 23. That was always the plan. Unfortunately a few players miss out due to injury, but this game against the Queensland Reds gives a number of others an opportunity to go out and put in a performance.

“I’ve been pleased with the growth we’ve seen in the squad over the last three or four weeks and that growth will continue.

“We’re expecting a good challenge from the Reds on Friday and know they will be up for this fixture. I’m looking to see us stay in the moment and keep scanning for opportunities as well as being alert to threats. Little efforts will make the difference.”

Wales team to face Queensland Reds | Tîm Cymru i herio Queensland Reds

15. Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 7 caps)
14. Rio Dyer (Dragons / Dreigiau – 22 caps)
13. Nick Tompkins (Saracens / Saraseniaid – 38 caps)
12. Eddie James (Scarlets – 1 cap)
11. Regan Grace (Bath Rugby – uncapped / heb gap)
10. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 15 caps)
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets – 77 caps) vice-captain / is-gapten
1. Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets – 4 caps)
2. Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 5 caps)
3. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby / Caerfaddon – 3 caps)
4. Matthew Screech (Dragons / Dreigiau – 2 caps)
5. Cory Hill (Secom Rugguts – 34 caps) captain / capten
6. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 12 caps)
7. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 5 caps)
8. Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 4 caps)

Replacements / Eilyddion

16. Efan Daniel (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – uncapped / heb gap)
17. Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 10 caps)
18. Harri O’Connor (Scarlets – 4 caps)
19. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 19 caps)
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 20 caps)
21. Kieran Hardy (Ospreys / Gweilch – 23 caps)
22. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 4 caps)
23. Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 14 caps)