Josh Adams to make Wales debut against Scotland in Six Nations

By Tony Tighe

Image: Josh Adams starts on the right wing against Scotland

Worcester wing Josh Adams will make his Wales debut in Saturday's Six Nations opener against Scotland.

Adams, who has scored 13 tries for the Warriors this season, joins six Scarlets players in the backline for the Principality Stadium clash.

Wales are without a host of key players due to injury, including fly-halves Dan Biggar and Rhys Priestland, so Rhys Patchell wears the No 10 shirt with Gareth Davies at scrum-half.

Image: Leigh Halfpenny is one of 10 Scarlets players in the Wales starting line-up

Leigh Halfpenny is at full-back, Hadleigh Parkes partners Scott Williams in midfield, while there is an all-Scarlets front row of Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Samson Lee.

Warren Gatland has selected a much-changed back row of Aaron Shingler, Josh Navidi and Ross Moriarty. Justin Tipuric is named among the replacements but there is no place for fellow British and Irish Lion George North.

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"We have been watching Josh [Adams] closely, he is top try-scorer in the English Premiership and has been going well and we are excited for him," said Wales head coach Gatland.

Six Nations in focus: Wales

Decimated by injuries, Wales are hoping they can harness the European momentum of Scarlets and Cardiff Blues.

"Both Rhys [Patchell] and Gareth [Anscombe] have been training really well over the last couple of weeks. It was a tough call between them, Rhys has started most of his games for the Scarlets at 10, we are really happy with his form and the combination with Gareth at nine.

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Image: Ross Moriarty starts at No 8 in place of the injured Taulupe Faletau

"We know what a quality player Ross is, it's great he is back and available and we are looking forward to seeing his explosive ball carrying on Saturday.

"For this opening game, we looked at a lot of combinations, especially the front row. It is exciting to see Samson [Lee] back playing well and the familiarity of the Scarlets front row will be important."

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Rob Evans, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Cory Hill, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 Josh Navidi, 8 Ross Moriarty.

Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Bradley Davies, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Owen Watkin.

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