‘Third time lucky’ for Macleod’s Test debut

Wales boss Wayne Pivac hopes it is a case of “third time lucky” for Josh Macleod after handing him his Test match debut.

The Scarlets forward, who packs down at number eight against Georgia on Saturday, was selected to start in Wales’ Six Nations appointment with Scotland last year, but ruptured his Achilles tendon during a training session four days before the game.

He also gained selection for Wales’ 2020 autumn squad, yet a hamstring injury ruled him out of that campaign.

The 26-year-old offers Wales options across the back-row, although it is his first appearance in the number eight shirt since he played there for the Scarlets in January 2019.

“We had a couple of unit sessions this morning and Josh was flying into it. He is not holding back,” Pivac said.

“Josh has been selected twice before and has picked up injuries, so it is third time lucky.”