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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Jon Doel

The Wales team the fans have chosen to play Ireland

Thousands of Wales fans have selected the starting XV they think should play Ireland on Saturday in the opening match of the Six Nations.

More than 4,000 people took part in our team selection survey ahead of Wayne Pivac's official announcement on Thursday morning.

The bulk of positions had clear winners in the eyes of the public, particularly in the front row where Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias and Tomas Francis were the three chosen by some distance.

It's a similar story in the second row, where vice-captain Adam Beard and Will Rowlands are favourites. Seb Davies was the next most popular choice.

The back row is where things were predictably most hotly contested in the pack with a number of players capable of playing different positions.

Aaron Wainwright got the most votes at number eight, likewise Taine Basham at openside. Ellis Jenkins completes the fans' back row after beating Ross Moriarty for the six jersey.

In the backs, Tomos Williams and Dan Biggar romped to easy selection wins at half-back, but outside of them it was a different story.

A number of candidates received a similar number of votes, with Uilisi Halaholo the winner at 12. As for 13, the experience of Jonathan Davies edges the club form of Nick Tompkins by just 18 votes. Owen Watkin also picked up hundreds of votes.

While Josh Adams also figured strongly in the outside centre voting, it's on the wing where he picked up the majority of public support, forming a potent back three with Louis Rees-Zammit and Liam Williams at full-back. That trio have been picked out by Brian O'Driscoll as the men Ireland need to be wary of.

Williams' closest challenger for the 15 spot, Johnny McNicholl, was some way behind.

Do you agree with this Wales team? Have your say in the comments below

The fans' Wales XV to play Ireland: Liam Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit, Jonathan Davies, Uilisi Halaholo, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Will Rowlands, Ellis Jenkins, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright

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