Ospreys flanker Jac Morgan will captain the Wales team to play England while Leigh Halfpenny wins his 100th Wales cap in Cardiff on Saturday.
Corey Domachowski and Kieran Assiratti, both props from Cardiff, and Max Llewellyn, the Gloucester centre, are all set to make their international debuts.
On the replacements bench, there is the possibility of two more players earning their first caps: Taine Plumtree and former England prop, Henry Thomas.
Due to a calf injury, Taulupe Faletau will be unable to play, so Aaron Wainwright will take the number eight position in the Wales team to play England at the Principality Stadium.
Meanwhile, Sam Costelow will be at fly-half, partnering with Gareth Davies, his fellow Scarlets half-back.
A remarkable milestone awaits Leigh Halfpenny, as he is poised to become the ninth player to represent Wales in 100 international matches.
The esteemed list of players who have achieved this feat includes Alun Wyn Jones, Gethin Jenkins, George North, Dan Biggar, Stephen Jones, Gareth Thomas, Martyn Williams, and Taulupe Faletau.
Gatland said:
“I’ve been really pleased with the players’ effort and commitment in Turkey, Switzerland and the mini camps in Wales prior, but now it’s about putting what we’ve been training into practice,” said Gatland.
“We’re excited to get out on pitch at Principality Stadium this Saturday – it’s always so special playing at home in front of our amazing fans.
“There is some great competition among the squad in all positions and we’ve selected a team this week with a few debutants, because we want to give them the opportunity to see what they can do.
“There’s a lot to play for over the next three matches and everyone is still in contention to make that final squad for France.”
Wales team to play England:
Leigh Halfpenny; Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Max Llewellyn, Rio Dyer; Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies; Corey Domachowski, Ryan Elias, Keiron Assiratti, Dafydd Jenkins, Will Rowlands, Christ Tshiunza, Jac Morgan (capt), Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Henry Thomas, Ben Carter, Taine Plumtree, Tomos Williams, Dan Biggar, Mason Grady.
“Tough start” – England boss Steve Borthwick handed favourable 2023 Rugby World Cup draw
The next tournament will be held in France and the hosts will face New Zealand in a blockbuster opening match in Saint-Denis.
Chile, Portugal and Tonga are the latest teams to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The finals work the same way as the 2019 tournament with the first two teams in each pool progressing to the quarter-finals, which will be contested by knock-out matches.
If we suppose the top-ranked teams each win their pools and the second-ranked teams finish runners-up then the quarter-finals in 2023 could look something like this…
- Wales vs Argentina
- South Africa vs France
- England vs Australia
- New Zealand vs Ireland
The 2023 tournament will take place between 8 September and 21 October 2023.
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “The draw is a key milestone on the journey to Rugby World Cup France 2023, and the time when the tournament truly comes to life for teams and players alike.
“It enables key operational elements to be undertaken such as venue allocation, optimal match schedule development and the ticketing programme.”
Future draws will be done later:
FULL 2023 RUGBY WORLD CUP DRAW:
POOL A
- New Zealand
- France
- Italy
- Uruguay
- Namibia
POOL A FIXTURES:
- Sep 8: France vs New Zealand (Pool A) – Stade de France, Saint-Denis
- Sep 9: Italy vs Namibia (Pool A) – Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Etienne
- Sep 14: France vs Uruguay (Pool A) – Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
- Sep 15: New Zealand vs Namibia (Pool A) – Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
- Sep 20: Italy vs Uruguay (Pool A) – Stade de Nice, Nice
- Sep 21: France vs Namibia (Pool A) – Stade Velodrome, Marseille
- Sep 27: Uruguay vs Namibia (Pool A) – Parc OL, Lyon
- Sep 29: New Zealand vs Italy (Pool A) – Parc OL, Lyon
- Oct 5: New Zealand vs Uruguay (Pool A) – Parc OL, Lyon
- Oct 6: France vs Italy (Pool A) – Parc OL, Lyon
