Autumn Nations Cup: Justin Tipuric returns for Wales against Ireland

Flanker Justin Tipuric missed the end of Wales' Six Nations campaign with tonsillitis

Flanker Justin Tipuric returns from illness in the only Wales change for the Autumn Nations Cup opener against Ireland in Dublin on Friday.

Coach Wayne Pivac reverts to the side initially picked against Scotland with Tipuric ruled out on the morning of that defeat by tonsillitis.

Uncapped Bristol fly-half Callum Sheedy is on the bench, named in Wales' matchday squad for the first time.

George North will play his 100th Test if he comes on as a replacement.

The Ospreys wing has won 96 Wales caps and three for the British and Irish Lions, and Friday's game comes exactly 10 years since North won his first cap - scoring two tries on debut as an 18-year-old against South Africa in a 29-25 defeat.

North will also become the youngest player to reach 100 caps in international rugby.

Prop Tomas Francis will win his 50th cap, while new world record cap holder and Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones will play his 150th Test.

Changes among the replacements include the return of hooker Elliot Dee, prop Samson Lee and lock Jake Ball.

With North and Sheedy on the bench, there is no place for wing Louis Rees-Zammit, centre Nick Tompkins or injured fly-half Rhys Patchell, while back-rows Josh Navidi and Ross Moriarty remain sidelined.

Navidi is in contention to face Georgia on 21 November after recovering from concussion but Moriarty has suffered a recurrence of an ankle injury and it's unsure he will return.

Injured scrum-half Rhys Webb is expected to return against England on 28 November after suffering a knock in the defeat against France on 24 October.

The settled nature of Wales' starting line-up comes in a week in which Wales parted company with defence coach Byron Hayward following five successive defeats.

Pivac says it is a chance for the players to make amends after the Scotland loss.

"I don't think we played a lot of rugby in the last match out, so there is a bit of that," said Pivac.

"We feel that this is a side that can negate some of Ireland's threats.

"We believe we can win whenever we take the field, against any opposition.

"The fact we haven't done that in a series of games now is not something we're comfortable with.

"We're working hard and trying to eliminate the errors in our game that are putting us under pressure.

"This tournament is a fresh opportunity. We've talked about that and are looking forward to it.

"Ireland away is a stiff challenge first up but there is no better challenge to find out how much improvement we've made over the last two weeks."

Wales' plight since an opening 2020 Six Nations win against Italy has put Pivac under pressure.

Former England wing Ugo Monye described Wales as "like a sinking ship" in the post-Warren Gatland era.

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After Friday's Autumn Nations Cup opener, Wales have two home games against Georgia on 21 November and then England seven days later.

There will then be a final game on 5 December, with the opponent depending on placings in the two pools - with Scotland, France, Fiji and Italy the possibilities.

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Rhys Carre, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Shane Lewis-Hughes, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Wyn Jones, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Aaron Wainwright, Lloyd Williams, Callum Sheedy, George North.