Leigh Halfpenny to appear in 100th international match for Wales against Canada

Leigh Halfpenny set to mark a century of appearances for Wales in Test match against Canada with coach Wayne Pivac also looking to hand out debuts to Tom Rogers and Ben Carter

  • Wales are set to face Canada in the first of their three Welsh summer Tests
  • Leigh Halfpenny will mark a century of appearances at international level 
  • Wayne Pivac is set to hand debuts to Tom Rogers and Ben Carter on Saturday
  • An extra three players could also make their debut if they come off the bench 

Leigh Halfpenny will appear in his 100th international match, playing for Wales against Canada in Cardiff this Saturday, as Wayne Pivac hands two players debuts.

Tom Rogers, the Scarlets wings, and Ben Carter, the Dragons lock, both start in the first of three Welsh summer Tests at the Principality Stadium.

And there could be three more debuts from the bench – prop Gareth Thomas, back-rower Taine Basham and back Ben Thomas all included as replacements.

Leigh Halfpenny is set to make his 100th international appearance for Wales on Saturday

There is a return for Ross Moriarty, who missed Wales’ Six Nations win due to injury and has not played for his country since March 2020.

Jonathan Davies captains the side from inside centre, picked alongside Callum Sheedy, Elliot Dee, Will Rowlands, James Botham, Aaron Wainwright, Tomos Williams and Willis Halaholo who were all part of the Six Nations triumph.

Halfpenny will start at full-back in his 96th Welsh Test, reaching a century when adding his four Lions caps.

‘We are all looking forward to getting back to the Principality Stadium with fans in attendance and Saturday against Canada promises to be a great occasion,’ said Wales head coach Pivac.

Wayne Pivac could hand out as many as five debuts for their Test match against Canada

Wayne Pivac could hand out as many as five debuts for their Test match against Canada

‘This summer is an important block as we build towards Rugby World Cup 2023, and it is great to give five uncapped players opportunities.

‘They have all impressed us in training, deserve a chance and we are looking forward to seeing them step up to the Test arena.

‘At the other end of the scale you have Leigh Halfpenny, who makes his 100th Test appearance. It is a thoroughly deserved milestone for Leigh and it is made all the sweeter by the fact that his family and so many of our supporters are able to be in attendance.’

Wales face two Tests against Argentina after this Canada fixture.

WALES TEAM TO FACE CANADA ON SATURDAY (15.00 KO)

Starters 

1 Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (39 caps)

2 Elliot Dee (Dragons) (37 caps)

3 Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby) (28 caps)

4 Ben Carter (Dragons) (Uncapped)*

5 Will Rowlands (Dragons) (7 caps)

6 Ross Moriarty (Dragons) (45 caps)

7 James Botham (Cardiff Rugby) (6 caps)

8 Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (29 caps)

9 Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby) (22 caps)

10 Callum Sheedy (Bristol Bears) (9 caps)

11 Tom Rogers (Scarlets) (Uncapped)*

12 Jonathan Davies (CAPT) (Scarlets) (88 caps)

13 Uilisi Halaholo (Cardiff Rugby) (4 caps)

14 Jonah Holmes (Dragons) (5 caps)

15 Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets) (95 caps)

Replacements

16 Ryan Elias (Scarlets) (17 caps)

17 Gareth Thomas (Ospreys) (Uncapped)*

18 Leon Brown (Dragons) (17 caps)

19 Josh Turnbull (Cardiff Rugby) (10 caps)

20 Taine Basham (Dragons) (Uncapped)*

21 Kieran Hardy (Scarlets) (4 caps)

22 Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby) (Uncapped)*

23 Nick Tompkins (Saracens) (10 caps)