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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ben James

Warren Gatland names Wales team to face Ireland in Six Nations as Leigh Halfpenny starts and Joe Hawkins also chosen

Warren Gatland Wales Joe Hawkins Leigh Halfpenny Six Nations Ireland Alex Cuthbert Dafydd Jenkins Dan Biggar Josh Adams

Leigh Halfpenny has been handed his first Wales start in 19 months as Warren Gatland named his team to Ireland in this weekend's Six Nations opener.

Ospreys centre Joe Hawkins is also chosen in the backline, keeping his place in the side after winning his first cap against Australia in the autumn. There is no place for Nick Tompkins in the matchday 23.

Six Ospreys stars feature in the pack, with captain Ken Owens and Taulupe Faletau the only ones not plying their rugby in Swansea.

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