JOSH TIPPED TO GO MARCHING THROUGH GEORGIA

WALES head Pivac has handed forward Josh Macleod a Test debut in Saturday’s Autumn Nations Series clash against Georgia on Cardiff.

Macleod (right), who packs down at No.8, was selected to start in Wales’ Six Nations encounter with Scotland last year but ruptured his Achilles tendon during a training session four days before the game.

Pivac said: “Josh Macleod is a player that has been really unfortunate in the past. “We’ve wanted to use him on a couple of occasions, so this is very much third time lucky for him. “We know a lot about him, I have coached him at the Scarlets.

“We are looking forward to seeing him go at this level and seeing the physicality that he will bring. He brings a lot of energy, he’s very strong over the ball.”

Pivac (right) has also called up centre Owen Watkin, wing Josh Adams, fly-half Rhys Priestland, lock Ben Carter and flanker Jac Morgan.

And there are two uncapped players among the replacements in 19-year-old Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins and Scarlets scrum-half Dane Blacker.

Full-back Leigh Halfpenny, who last played for Wales 16 months ago, is also on the bench – but former Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones misses out on a matchday 23 place for the second successive game.

Gloucester wing Louis ReesZammit keeps the No.15 shirt following an impressive switch to fullback in the 20-13 win over Argentina.