TOM James has been selected ahead of Newport Gwent Dragons wing Hallam Amos for Wales’ RBS 6 Nations opener in Ireland.

The Cardiff Blues speedster has been rewarded for his fine regional form and gets the nod ahead of Amos, who has recently returned ahead of schedule from the shoulder injury he suffered against England at the World Cup.

James will win his 10th cap, his last appearance on the Test scene having come against New Zealand in the autumn of 2010.

Scarlets loosehead Rob Evans is picked ahead of Gethin Jenkins, who is among the replacements, while Justin Tipuric is in the back row with Dan Lydiate having to settle for a spot on the bench after recently being sidelined by a neck/shoulder injury.

Gareth Anscombe starts at full-back with Alex Cuthbert preferred on the bench to Amos and Liam Williams, who returned from a foot injury for the Scarlets at Connacht last weekend.

“We are excited by the make-up of the squad, it’s very experienced along with one eye looking to the future,” said head coach Warren Gatland.

“Rob (Evans) gets a start at loose-head, he’s played well for us before and deserves a chance looking ahead to the next few years.

“We have been impressed with Tom James’ form for Cardiff Blues and we are excited by the mix of the back-row which has played well together before.  It’s great to see Jonathan
(Davies) back and alongside Jamie, which makes a pretty experienced midfield.  Gareth (Anscombe) at full-back also gives us the option of having two first receivers.

“We have a very experienced bench, with a lot of caps there and hopefully they will come on and make an impact.”

“It’s going to be a physical game. Two years ago they strangled us out of the match and played well and we have to rise to that challenge on Sunday.”

Wales: Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Tom James (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, captain), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues).