Wales' final Test of the autumn internationals sees Wayne Pivac's side take on Australia in Cardiff.
Wales are coming off the back of a hugely disappointing defeat to Georgia last week, and are about to cap off a calendar year in which they have so far won just three games from 11. They will be looking to go out on a high with victory over the Wallabies, with Dave Rennie's side having also endured a torrid autumn campaign, not winning a single match so far and losing against Italy in week three. Their squad is somewhat depleted due to injuries from four Tests in recent weeks.
Here's everything you need to know about Wales v Australia:
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What time is Wales v Australia kick off?
Wales v Australia starts at 3.15pm on Saturday, November 26, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
What TV channel is Wales v Australia on? What about live streaming?
You will need to have an Amazon Prime Video subscription for this game, either by paying or via a free trial. Prime Video offer a 30-day free trial, which renews at £8.99 per month after the trial period ends, or you can cancel it before that. The service also provides a range of films, TV series, music and free one-day delivery. You can sign up to a free Amazon Prime trial here. Live streaming will be available via the app or online.
What's the team news?
With the match being played outside the international Test window, Wales are without some of their key players, including Louis Rees-Zammit and Nick Tompkins.
Leigh Halfpenny was due to make his first start for Wales since summer 2021, having come off the bench against Georgia, but was a late withdrawal ahead of kick-off against the Wallabies due to suffering a back spasm during the warm-up. Josh Adams therefore starts at full-back, with Sam Costelow coming onto the bench. Alex Cuthbert and Rio Dyer complete the back three.
Uncapped Ospreys centre Joe Hawkins starts at inside centre alongside George North in midfield. Rhys Priestland is replaced by Gareth Anscombe at 10.
Alun Wyn Jones returns to the starting side to partner Adam Beard in the boiler house. Jac Morgan retains his spot at blindside, and the back-row is completed by captain Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau, who makes his 100th Test appearance (95 for Wales and five for the Lions).
Australia talisman Michael Hooper was ruled out of the game in midweek, due to concerns surrounding concussion. Australia have been forced to make nine changes to their starting XV that lost to Ireland last weekend, with a host of changes in the back line. Len Ikitau is the only survivor in the backs, starting at outside centre for the Wallabies. Reece Hodge partners Ikitau in midfield while Tom Wright replaces Andrew Kellaway.
Wales: Josh Adams; Alex Cuthbert, George North, Joe Hawkins, Rio Dyer; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Ken Owens, Dillon Lewis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Rhodri Jones, Tomas Francis, Ben Carter, Josh Macleod, Kieran Hardy, Rhys Priestland, Sam Costelow.
Australia: Tom Wright; Jordan Petaia, Len Ikitau, Reece Hodge, Mark Nawaqanitawase; Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, Folau Fainga'a, Allan Alaalatao, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Jed Holloway, Fraser McRieght, Langi Gleeson.
Replacements: Lachlan Lonergan, Tom Robertson, Sam Talakai, Ned Hanigan, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, Noah Lolesio, Jock Campbell.
Who is the Wales v Australia referee?
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (RFU) and Chris Busby (IRFU)
TMO: Joy Neville (IRFU)
What have the coaches said?
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac: "The whole squad is extremely disappointed with last week’s performance. It’s not the result that anybody wanted. It’s not the result that anyone expected. We’ve gone through a review process. We know what went wrong and what is required to get the result this weekend.
"There’s been an injury to Owen Watkin which gives an opportunity to young Joe Hawkins. He’s obviously very excited. He’s been in camp training for the last month and learning a lot and he’s looked good in training so he gets an opportunity."
Australia head coach Dave Rennie on picking Ben Donaldson over Noah Lolesio: “He’s trained really well, has got a good skill set and he’s developing the voice and the ability to boss people around. We need to see plenty of that and we’ve got familiarity with Jake playing on his inside and a fair bit of experience with (Reece) Hodge on his outside. We want to find out about Ben and his versatility helps in that he can play 15, certainly quick enough to play back there. We’ve got Noah (Lolesio) with a fair bit of experience to come on late.”
Read next:
- Sam Warburton calls for Welsh rugby to be ripped apart and dragged out of 'Stone Age'
- Three years of Wayne Pivac as Wales boss: What he's actually done, the mistakes made and the players who've come and gone
- Nigel Owens publishes vile homophobic letter posted to his house by steel worker
- Louis Rees-Zammit goes mad in Cardiff fan zone after Gareth Bale equaliser
- Wales coach admits Georgia defeat was 'absolutely horrific' as series of meetings held within squad
