Six Nations 2013: Lock Coombs set for Wales debut against Ireland Andrew Coombs is poised to be the surprise new cap in the Wales side to face Ireland in Saturday's Six Nations opener at the Millennium Stadium. The 28-year-old, who has switched from the back-row for his regional side this season, will be asked to fill Wales' vacancy in the second row. Interim Wales coach Rob Howley seems set to partner Dragons forward Coombs with Ian Evans in the engine room. Evans' fellow Osprey Ryan Jones is set to miss out with a dislocated thumb. Howley will name his side at 13:00 GMT on Thursday as Wales seek a fourth successive win over Ireland. Wales v Ireland - last six meetings If Evans is picked at lock he will play his first game since he injured his knee playing for Wales in mid-November. Coombs, who stands at 6ft 4in, has played for Pontypool and Newport in the Premiership and was one of five uncapped players named in the Wales squad. Locks Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris and Bradley Davies are all out injured and Wales have given Evans, who played every minute of last year's Grand Slam, every chance to prove his fitness. Lou Reed of the Scarlets and another newcomer, Harlequins' Olly Kohn, are the other lock options in the squad. With Dan Lydiate injured, Wales have hinted at playing both open-side flankers Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric at six and seven in the back-row. But with the raft of injuries at lock, playing 6ft 5in Scarlets flanker Aaron Shingler at blind-side would provide another option for Wales at the lineout. Dan Biggar looks poised to play fly-half ahead of James Hook, with Rhys Priestland missing due to an Achilles tendon injury. Biggar has been the form number 10 in regional rugby this season and is expected to be preferred to Perpignan play-maker Hook. Triple Grand Slam-winner Adam Jones returns at tight-head prop after missing Wales' winless autumn campaign with a knee injury. Wing Eli Walker had been tipped to win his first cap after an impressive start to the season but the Osprey has been struggling with a hamstring problem, so George North and Alex Cuthbert are likely to continue as Wales' giant wing twins.