Alun Wyn Jones to break test record against Scotland
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Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones will become rugby’s most capped international on Saturday when he makes his 149th test appearance (140th for Wales plus 9 British & Irish Lions caps).
Jones levelled Richie McCaw's record last weekend but will take the honour for himself at Parc y Scarlets this weekend as Wales face Scotland in their re-arranged Six Nations finale. At the other end of the international spectrum, Cardiff Blues back-row Shane Lewis-Hughes will make his first test appearance for Wales in a back-row alongside experienced Lions duo Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau.
Will Rowlands, fresh from the English Premiership Final with Wasps, comes into the side to make his first start for Wales and he packs down alongside captain Jones. European Champion and English Premiership winner Tomas Francis comes into the front-row alongside Rhys Carre and Ryan Elias.
In the backline Gareth Davies partners Dan Biggar with Owen Watkin coming into the midfield alongside Jonathan Davies. Liam Williams returns to the back-three to feature alongside Josh Adams and Leigh Halfpenny.
On the bench Sam Parry, Wyn Jones and Dillon Lewis provide the front-row replacements with Cory Hill and James Davies completing the forward contingent. Lloyd Williams comes straight into the matchday squad and provides backline cover along with Rhys Patchell and Nick Tompkins.
WALES TEAM TO PLAY SCOTLAND
1. Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues (9 Caps)
2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets) (14 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (48 Caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Wasps) (1 Cap)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (139 Caps) (CAPT)
6. Shane Lewis-Hughes (Cardiff Blues) (*Uncapped)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (77 Caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath) (77 Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (54 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints) (84 Caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues) (25 Caps)
12. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (22 Caps)
13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (82 Caps)
14. Liam Williams (Scarlets) (63 Caps)
15. Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (90 Caps)
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Sam Parry (Ospreys) (1 Cap)
17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (25 Caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues) (27 Caps)
19. Cory Hill (Cardiff Blues) (26 Caps)
20. James Davies (Scarlets) (8 Caps)
21. Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues) (28 Caps)
22. Rhys Patchell (Scarlets) (20 Caps)
23. Nick Tompkins (Dragons) (5 Caps)