MX23RW : Friday, April 26 01:26:47| >> :600:87707741:87707741:

Jonathan Humphreys: 'Wales relishing chance to play in front of fans'

Six Nations champions ready to launch summer series of Tests.

Jonathan Humphreys says playing in front of home fans again will be "massive" for Wales when they launch their summer international series against Canada.

On-going restrictions mean that a capacity attendance of just 8,200 can attend Saturday's encounter at the Principality Stadium.

But it is the first time since Wales hosted Guinness Six Nations opponents France more than 16 months ago that supporters have been allowed in to watch them on home turf.

"It is massive for us," Wales assistant coach Humphreys said.

"You go back to the autumn, and we were playing outside of the stadium (in Llanelli) because it (Principality Stadium) was a field hospital.

"Then we had the buzz of the Six Nations, because just going back to the Principality Stadium to even train was a big thing.

"Now, with crowds, 8,000 people will still make a lot of noise for us.

Australia v Wales – Pool D – 2019 Rugby World Cup – Tokyo Stadium
Jonathan Davies will captain Wales against Canada (David Davies/PA)

"I don't think (uncapped Wales lock) Ben Carter has played a senior rugby match in front of a crowd! I am happy there are 8,000, and hopefully we will get back to a lot more than that very quickly."

Carter and fellow newcomer – Scarlets wing Tom Rogers – will make their Test debuts against a Canada side that last played during the 2019 World Cup.

And while Wales are without 10 players on British and Irish Lions duty in South Africa, there is still considerable experience offered by the likes of skipper Jonathan Davies, flanker Ross Moriarty and full-back Leigh Halfpenny, who makes his 100th Test appearance for Wales and the Lions.

"Jon has been brilliant," Humphreys added. "As a young kid coming in for your first cap, with him captaining the team, he has had a really good influence on that.

Wales v France – Guinness Six Nations – Principality Stadium
Wales back-row forward Ross Moriarty (Adam Davy/PA)

"I am sure he will be disappointed to miss out (with the Lions), but you don't see that around the group. It has not been mentioned, and it has not affected him in the way he trains and prepares.

"He will know that you are an injury away from being called up and being a big part of that Lions series.

"But you wouldn't know that here. We've got Argentina after this game – three massive Tests in total – and he wants to be a winning captain in those three Tests.

"And for Ross, he was a big player for us in the Six Nations before last. He played really well for us, but he has picked up a few injuries along the way.

"He is a big player for us going forward, so to have him back around the group, he gives us a real physicality and we are hoping he goes well on the weekend."

Carter, meanwhile, has been entrusted with calling Wales' lineouts on his Test debut, and the 20-year-old has a big fan in Wales forwards specialist Humphreys.

"I've watched him over the last couple of months, and I have been really impressed with him," Humphreys said.

"Physically, he can compete at this level, which is the first thing you look for. It has been a lot of learning for him – he is calling lineouts for us on his first cap, which is a big ask for him.

"But he has been really good and really diligent."

ID:453552: cacheID:453552:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8476:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac pictured in October 2020
Read Next:
Wayne Pivac lavishes praise on Tom Rogers
>
Read more about Canada Wales Rugby Union
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
10am
Bublik
Carballes Baena
10am
Marozsan
Cerundolo
10am
Musetti
Seyboth Wild
10am
Paul
Klein
10am
Rublev
Bagnis
10am
Andreeva
Noskova
10am
Bronzetti
Rybakina
10am
Garcia
Wang
10am
Pavlyuchenkova
Saville
11.30am
Altmaier
Fils
11.30am
Martin Etcheverry
Shapovalov
11.30am
Alexandrova
Krueger
11.30am
Bucsa
Kasatkina
11.30am
Dolehide
Kalinina
11.30am
Jimenez Kasintseva
Paolini
11.30am
Linette
Sabalenka
1pm
Baez
Van Assche
1pm
Hurkacz
Draper
1pm
Bejlek
Kalinskaya
1pm
Cristian
Krejcikova
1pm
Kostyuk
Sherif
2pm
Zheng
Putintseva
2.30pm
Humbert
Van De Zandschulp
2.30pm
Darderi
Fritz
2.30pm
Boulter
Montgomery
3pm
Shevchenko
Alcaraz
3.30pm
Vondrousova
Rogers
4pm
Griekspoor
Daniel
4pm
Munar
Struff
5pm
Navone
Rune
7pm
Coric
Zverev
8.30pm
Collins
Danilovic
11.30am
Shang
Davidovich Fokina


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!