Six Nations 2022: Wales give wing Josh Adams first centre start in Ireland

Wales have handed British and Irish Lions wing Josh Adams a first start at centre for the Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin.

With Cardiff centre Willis Halaholo ruled out with a hamstring injury, Adams will partner Nick Tompkins in the Welsh midfield.

Fly-half Dan Biggar will captain the side for the first time.

Fit-again back row Ross Moriarty is named among the replacements alongside uncapped Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake.

Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has selected 13 of the starting side that defeated Australia in November 2021, with Scarlets wing Johnny McNicholl coming in for Halaholo and Will Rowlands replacing Seb Davies.

With George North and Johnny Williams also injured, Adams is preferred to specialist centres Jonathan Davies, who has played 99 Tests for Wales and the Lions, and Owen Watkin, who is among the replacements.

Adams, 26, was selected to play in the number 13 jersey against Fiji in November 2021 but was forced to pull out just before kick-off through a minor injury.

«We've selected Josh at 13, it's something we've been thinking about for a while,» said Pivac.

«He's done it in training and in small doses at the end of a game. We think this is a golden opportunity to answer that question.»

Pivac's other main conundrum was who started the game in the back row, and he has kept faith with the trio of Ellis Jenkins, Aaron Wainwright and Taine Basham, who featured in November's 29-28 win against Australia.

After injuring a shoulder against New Zealand in October, Moriarty returned to action for Dragons last weekend with a try-scoring display in the 13-13 draw with Benetton.

He will gain his 50th cap if he comes off the bench, while Lake will win his first.

«I am really pleased for Ross,» said Pivac.

«He's wrapped