MY ACCOUNT
Alun Wyn Jones will surpass Richie McCaw’s record tally of 148 caps for his country when Wales face New Zealand in a mouthwatering Autumn Nations Series clash on Saturday.
Wales captain Jones matched legendary former All Blacks captain McCaw’s astonishing number of Test appearances when he faced Scotland last year.
The British and Irish Lions skipper will set a new record for games played for a country at Principality Stadium this weekend.
Jones, who has played in 12 Lions Tests, will lead out a Wales side that has a blend of experience and youth.
Taine Basham made his first start at international level in the back row and Gareth Anscombe makes his return at fly-half against his country of birth over two years after his last Test appearance.
Anscombe has impressed after spending such a long spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Ken Owens was initially selected at hooker, but has since been replaced by Ryan Elias due to a back injury, with Kirby Myhill named on the bench.
Hooker Elliot Dee has been released from the Six Nations champions’ squad due to a neck injury.
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac said: “To win a World Cup you have to play against teams like New Zealand at some stage in the tournament and you have to win those games.
“It’s going to be a great experience for those guys who haven’t played a lot of test rugby and they’ll certainly know they’ve been in a match afterwards.”
Wales have won only three of 35 Tests against the All Blacks ahead of the showdown in Cardiff.
Wales: Johnny McNicholl, Owen Lane, Jonathan Davies, Johnny Williams, Josh Adams, Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Ross Moriarty, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Rhys Carre, Dillon Lewis, Will Rowlands, Seb Davies, Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland, Ben Thomas.
