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Steve Tandy’s side kick off their summer fixtures at the home of English rugby on Saturday
Wales kick off a busy summer of rugby action this weekend as they face the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Steve Tandy’s side are gearing up for their inaugural Nations Championship campaign, which gets under way next month with a clash with Fiji at the Cardiff City Stadium before trips abroad to Argentina and South Africa. However, before that, they will face the world famous invitational side on Saturday afternoon, coming up against a team full of talent from around the globe.
With Wales Women also taking on a Barbarians side later in the day, it will be the first double-header fixture between the two teams since 2019.
It is also only the second meeting between the two sides to take place outside of Wales, with the first coming back in 2004 when Wales triumphed in a 42-0 rout in Mike Ruddock’s first game in charge.
Recent games between the Barbarians and Wales have taken place in Cardiff, but for the first time ever, Saturday’s clash is being held at the home of English rugby.
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The move raised some eyebrows when it was announced earlier this year, with fans questioning why Wales would play what was seemingly a home fixture in England.
However, Wales will actually act as the away side in both matches, with the double-header considered a home fixture for the Baa Baas, who have selected the Allianz Stadium as their chosen venue.
The Principality Stadium, meanwhile, is playing host to heavy metal legends Metallica on Sunday (June 28), after Take That played there earlier this month, meaning the stadium could not have been used.
For the Barbarians clash, Tandy has made eight changes to the starting side that beat Italy in the final round of the Six Nations, with Jac Morgan making his first Wales appearance since November.
With Wales without 13 players who are based in England and France – due to the game falling outside of World Rugby’s designated international window – Blair Murray and Kieran Hardy replace Louis Rees-Zammit and Tomos Williams respectively n the backs.
Hooker Dewi Lake leads the side, with Gareth Thomas and Dillon Lewis packing down alongside him in the front row. Named alongside Ben Carter at lock is Teddy Williams, who plays his first game since dislocating his foot in October, while Taine Plumtree, Aaron Wainwright and Morgan make up the back row.
There are four uncapped players on the bench in props Rhys Barratt and Ben Warren, along with backrower Harrison Keddie and lock Ryan Woodman.
The Baa Baas, meanwhile, have named a star-studded team for the men’s game, with Wales legend George North named on the bench and Dragons hooker Elliot Dee starting in the front row.
Wales Women boss Sean Lynn has named five uncapped players in his matchday squad, with wings Amy Williams and Kelsey Webster, prop Stella Orrin, flanker Lucy Isaac and scrum half Lily Hawkin all set to wear the red jersey for the first time.
Captain Alex Callender leads a starting side which contains 11 players under the age of 22, with 14 playing Celtic Challenge rugby for Brython Thunder or Gwalia Lightning.
Welsh hooker Carys Phillips, meanwhile, will start for the Barbarians in the evening fixture.
Wales (Men): Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Eddie James, Joe Hawkins, Ellis Mee; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake, Dillon Lewis, Ben Carter, Teddy Williams, Taine Plumtree, Jac Morgan, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Rhys Barratt, Ben Warren, Ryan Woodman, Harrison Keddie, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Sam Costelow, Mason Grady.
Barbarians (Men): Tom Spring; Andrew Kellaway, Jeremy Ward, Alex Nankivell, Virimi Vakatawa; Harry Plummer, Faf de Klerk (c); Giorgi Kharaishvili, Elliot Dee, Vincent Koch, Izack Rodda, Romain Taofifénua, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Lachlan Boshier, Nathan Hughes.
Replacements: Harry Thacker, Jack Iscaro, Paul Alo-Emile, Yoan Tanga, Jordan Joseph, Santiago Arata, George North, Liam McConnell.
Wales (Women): Nel Metcalfe; Kelsie Webster, Courtney Keight, Jenna de Vera, Amy Williams; Kayleigh Powell, Seren Lockwood; Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Branwen Metcalfe, Jorja Aiono, Alex Callender, Bryonie King.
Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Katherine Baverstock, Stella Orrin, Alaw Pyrs, Lucy Isaac, Lily Hawkins, Keira Bevan, Freya Bell.
Barbarians (Women): Lori Cramer; Ruby Tui, Claudia Pena, Alex Tessier, Rachel Lund; Liv McGoverne, Caity Mattinson; Laura Delgado Dueñas, Carys Phillips, Christine Belisle, Poppy Leitch, Sarah Bonar, Amy Rule, Emily Chancellor (capt), Rownita Marston-Mulhearn.
Replacements: Emily Tuttosi, Bryony Cleall, Charli Jacoby, Amelia Buckland-Hurry, Ilaria Arrighetti, Jenny Maxwell, Lagi Tuima, Celia Quansah.
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