Wales: Rio Dyer to debut while experienced trio return to start against All Blacks

Wales have handed an international debut to Rio Dyer in their Autumn Nations Series match against New Zealand at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.

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The Dragons wing will become the 1,180th Wales men’s cap when he takes the pitch, with Louis Rees-Zammit and Leigh Halfpenny making up the back three.

Halfpenny, hooker Ken Owens and captain Justin Tipuric will enjoy their first run-out for their country in over a year after returning from respective injuries.

Gareth Anscombe named at 10

Gareth Anscombe is at fly-half, having worn the number 10 jersey in the same fixture last year. Tomos Williams returns to the starting line-up at scrum-half.

Elsewhere, George North and Nick Tompkins partner in the centre for the fourth consecutive match.

Alongside captain Tipuric in the Wales back-row are openside flanker Tommy Reffell and number eight Taulupe Faletau.

Gareth Thomas (loosehead) and Tomas Francis (tighthead) are the props while Adam Beard and Will Rowlands combine in the second-row for the ninth time.

Among the replacements Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith and Dillon Lewis provide the front-row cover. Alun Wyn Jones and Christ Tshiunza are the other forwards in line to make an appearance from the bench. Kieran Hardy, Rhys Priestland and Owen Watkin round out the Wales matchday squad.

“It’s great having Ken Owens, Justin Tipuric and Leigh Halfpenny back. They bring a lot of experience and they are big game players. Playing New Zealand doesn’t get much bigger so we’re really looking forward to having them back in the side,” said Pivac.

“New Zealand is going to play with speed, we know that. The roof is closed so we’re looking forward to a fast, open game and I think Justin brings that extra bit of speed to the number six jersey. So the combination [of Tipuric, Reffell and Faletau] we think will work well.

Excitement around Dyer

“Rio has fitted in really well and really quickly. He’s thriving in this environment. He’s a young man that’s bringing some form with him into camp. He scored some great tries and he’s full of confidence. That means a lot to a young guy playing his first Test match in front of a big crowd. There’s no better way to start your career so we wish him well.

“It doesn’t get much bigger than Wales-New Zealand. I remember coming to games prior to getting this role and a full house, the bands and pre-match is just fantastic.

“We can’t wait for it, the players are looking forward to it and we just want the fans to get in there and be loud and really get behind the boys and be that 16th player that we know they are.”

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Justin Tipuric (c), 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Alun Wyn Jones, 20 Christ Tshiunza, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Owen Watkin

Date: Saturday, November 5
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 15:15 GMT
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (England), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)