By Toni
August 9 2003

Wales coach Steve Hansen has named the Welsh side to face Ireland in the first World Cup warm-up game for both teams. Hansen has revealed an inexperienced and largely experimental side, where none of the four squad "captains" (Colin Charis, Martyn Williams, Stephen Jones and Robin McBryde) appear in the starting XV or on the bench. Ireland are yet to reveal their side for the forthcoming fixture - in 7 days - but against a side like this they would be expected to win. Last time out, Ireland narrowly beat Wales by 25-24 thanks to a last-gasp drop goal in Cardiff. The Welsh will be captained by winger Gareth Thomas.

The Wales Team

Starting XVNicky Robinson (Cardiff Blues); Garan Evans (Llanelli Scarlets), Jamie Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Iestyn Harris (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Thomas (Celtic Warriors, captain); Ceri Sweeney (Celtic Warriors), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets); Duncan Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Mefin Davies (Celtic Warriors), Ben Evans (Cardiff Blues), Michael Owen (Gwent Dragons), Gareth Llewellyn (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Rhys Oakley (Gwent Dragons), Richard Parks (Celtic Warriors), Alix Popham (Leeds Tykes).

Replacements: Huw Bennett (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Celtic Warriors), Vernon Cooper (Llanelli Scarlets), Robin Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff Blues), Andy Williams (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Andy Marinos (Gwent Dragons), Nathan Brew (Gwent Dragons).

Kick off is 2.45pm at Lansdowne Road in Dublin.