REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL-Josh, Scott and Gareth part 1!
Newcastle Emlyn RFC will have three big reasons to be cheerful on Tuesday when a trio of its former players run out in Welsh colours to face the Chiefs at the FMG Stadium in Waikato, New Zealand.
Cardiff Blues back rower and player of the year Josh Turnbull will join the Scarlets duo of Gareth Davies and Scott Williams in the line up and this will be the first time that the three former Newcastle Emlyn players have started a game together and a huge honour for the Ddol Wiber club.
Emlyn secretary Chris Jones said that his club were delighted by the news and added:” We are naturally always pleased when one of our boys plays for Wales but we are delighted by the fact that all three will be starting together for the very first time in a Wales jersey as they all came through the junior ranks with us.
“It will be a wonderful occasion for them I am sure and we as a club would like to wish them all the best for the match.”
Second row Luke Charteris will lead Wales for the first time for what will be their second match of the summer tour.
Scrum half Gareth will partner his former Scarlets team mate Rhys Priestland whilst Scott links up with Tyler Morgan in the midfield.
Josh starts at blind side with James King at eight and Ellis Jenkins who made his International debut at Eden Park on Saturday wearing the number seven jersey.
Wales will start with an experienced test front-row of Rob Evans, Scott Baldwin and Tomas Francis packing down in front of Jake Ball and captain Charteris in the second-row.
Super rugby side The Chiefs are without a number of their All Blacks but they are a very strong side and will no doubt relish a crack at a touring team in front of a very passionate vocal following.
(KO 18:35 NZ, 07:35 BST).
WALES TEAM :
Matthew Morgan (Bristol Rugby), Eli Walker (Ospreys), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Tom James (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby) Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Josh Turnbull (Cardiff Blues), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), James King (Ospreys).
Replacements: Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Aled Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Patchell (Cardiff Blues).