Senior men’s head coach Matt Sherratt has named four Blue & Blacks in the Wales squad to play Ireland in the third round of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations at a sold-out Principality Stadium on Saturday 22 February (KO 14.15h GMT, live on BBC and S4C).

Number eight Taulupe Faletau and centre Ben Thomas are named in the starting XV, while hooker Evan Lloyd and second row Teddy Thomas are selected on the bench.

Ellis Mee is named on the wing for his first cap and will become the 1,211th men’s international to represent Wales.

Captain Jac Morgan starts at blindside flanker. Tommy Reffell is at openside flanker, his first start of the 2025 Championship, and Faletau completes the back row.

In the front row Nicky Smith is selected at loosehead prop and makes his first start of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations, as does Elliot Dee who is at hooker. WillGriff John, who will make his Six Nations debut on Saturday, is tighthead prop for the match.

Will Rowlands and Dafydd Jenkins pair up in the second row. Tomos Williams is named at scrum-half.

Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn, who were called up to the Wales squad this week, make their first appearances of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations at fly-half and centre respectively.

Thomas partners Llewellyn in the midfield.

Tom Rogers joins debutant Mee on the wing, while Blair Murray completes the starting XV at fullback.

Jarrod Evans is named among the replacements and could make his first appearance for Wales since summer 2021. Rhodri Williams, and Joe Roberts are the other replacement backs.

Lloyd, Gareth Thomas, Henry Thomas, Williams and Aaron Wainwright provide the forward cover.

Sherratt said: “We’re looking forward to the challenge of facing Ireland. We have spoken this week about being brave, but not reckless and making sure everyone knows their roles. We also know that keeping our discipline will be huge.

“Everyone is excited for our first home game of the Six Nations. The atmosphere Wales fans create at Principality Stadium is incredible and playing at home is something the players really look forward to.”

Wales team v Ireland | Tîm Cymru v Iwerddon

15. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 5 caps)
14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 7 caps)
13. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 5 caps)
12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby | Caerdydd – 9 caps)
11. Ellis Mee (Scarlets – uncapped | heb gap)
10. Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 39 caps)
9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby | Caerloyw – 61 caps)
1. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers | Caerlŷr – 51 caps)
2. Elliot Dee (Dragons | Dreigiau – 53 caps)
3. WillGriff John (Sale Sharks – 2 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 38 caps)
5. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 20 caps)
6. Jac Morgan (Ospreys | Gweilch – 20 caps) – captain | capten
7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 24 caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby | Caerdydd – 105 caps)

Eilyddion

16. Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby | Caerdydd – 7 caps)
17. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys | Gweilch – 37 caps)
18. Henry Thomas (Scarlets – 6 caps)
19. Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby | Caerdydd – 3 caps)
20. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons | Dreigiau – 54 caps)
21. Rhodri Williams (Dragons | Dreigiau – 7 caps)
22. Jarrod Evans (Harlequins – 8 caps)
23. Joe Roberts (Scarlets – 2 caps)