Gareth Anscombe starts as Matt Sherratt puts his stamp on Wales

Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt has made sweeping changes to his side for Saturday's Guinness Six Nations meeting with Ireland in Cardiff (2.15pm).

In his first game since replacing Warren Gatland, the Cardiff boss has changed eight of his starting XV, with Gareth Anscombe returning to win his 40th cap at out-half, while Scarlets' Ellis Mee is in for his debut on the wing.

The Nottingham-born back, whose mother is from Newport, starts on the left wing where he replaces the injured Josh Adams.

Mee forms part of a inexperienced backline for the game at the Principality Stadium. While Gloucester pair Anscombe and Tomos Williams have a combined 100 caps in the half-backs, there are just 26 Test appearances between their centres and back three.

There is a heavy Gloucester influence on the backline though, with Max Llewellyn brought into the 13 shirt, where he joins Ben Thomas in midfield. Thomas starts in his natural inside centre position, having worn the 10 shirt in the opening two games.

In the pack, Sherratt has picked a new front row, with Nicky Smith starting his first Six Nations game since 2015, while Elliot Dee starts at hooker and WillGriff John makes his Six Nations debut at tighthead prop.

Dafydd Jenkins has recovered from injury to reclaim his place alongside Will Rowlands in thee second row, while Tommy Reffell replaces James Botham in the back row, where he joins captain Jac Morgan as second breakdown specialist, with Taulupe Faletau completing the side.

Wales: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Ellis Mee; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee, WillGriff John; Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins; Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Gareth Thomas,