Wing Ellis Mee returns to the Wales starting line-up for Friday night’s Six Nations game against Ireland in Dublin.
The Scarlets back will replace Gabriel Hamer-Webb at Aviva Stadium, while 21-year-old uncapped Bath centre Louie Hennessey could make his debut from the replacements bench.
Mee, 22, is one of three starting changes from the 26-23 defeat by Scotland with fly-half Dan Edwards and flanker James Botham coming in for the injured Sam Costelow and Taine Plumtree.
There is one positional switch with Alex Mann moving from open-side flanker to blind-side to accommodate Botham.
The Cardiff pair will pack down in the back row alongside in-form number eight Aaron Wainwright, who has been named in the side despite reports of a fitness concern.
Head coach Steve Tandy said: “Aaron had a little bit of bump from the Scotland game and didn’t train much last week but he has trained fully this week.”
Montpellier lock Adam Beard and Leicester number eight Olly Cracknell are recalled to the bench, with Freddie Thomas and Blair Murray dropping out of the squad.
Tandy explains Wales changes for Ireland
Mee started against England and France in the first two rounds, but missed out against the Scots, when Hamer-Webb made his Test debut.
The Leicester wing showed flashes, but was also centre stage for the try by Darcy Graham that was created by Finn Russell’s sharp thinking from a quick restart.
The Scotland and Lions fly-half exploited the space left by former Cardiff back Hamer-Webb after he had chased Jarrod Evans’ successful penalty kick.
Murray came on for Hamer-Webb when he suffered an early nose injury and then was a permanent replacement for the final quarter.
Mee, who is strong in the aerial game, gets the nod for Dublin.
“There are a couple of enforced changes this week due to injury and then Ellis had played well in the opening couple of rounds, so we feel he deserves the opportunity again,” said Tandy.
Botham came on in the first half of the game against Scotland and was an impressive performer, although he was also caught out by Russell’s restart.
Ospreys fly-half Edwards, who had started seven matches before being dropped against Scotland, will pull the strings after Costelow’s bright display was ended by an ankle injury.
Harlequins’ Jarrod Evans is again a replacement having been used off the bench five times by Tandy while not starting a Test match since 2021.
“Dan was disappointed not being picked against Scotland but the way he reacted was outstanding,” said Tandy.
“We want to create competition and that will push us on to be the team we want to be.”
“I’m disappointed for Sam because the way he attacked the game was outstanding.
“With Jarrod coming off the bench we’ve got competition in the 10 spot which is good.”
Hennessey, who has played centre and wing for Bath, is in his second campaign with Wales after being an unused member of the squad in November 2025.
“Louie was unfortunate not to get his opportunity in the autumn, but he’s trained well,” said Tandy.
“He had a bit of a bump on his hand at the start of this campaign, but the way he’s recovered and put performances in the training environment has been very impressive. We’re all excited to see Louie go out in Dublin.
