Wales head coach Warren Gatland has unveiled the lineup that will take on Fiji in their opening Pool C match of the Rugby World Cup 2023. The showdown is scheduled for Sunday, September 10th, at Stade de Bordeaux, with kick-off at 8 pm BST. Fans can catch all the action live on ITV and S4C.
This announcement comes as a culmination of rigorous preparations, and Gatland’s selection brings some fresh faces to the fore. Five players will make their Rugby World Cup debuts in the starting lineup, while an additional five stand ready on the bench for their potential World Cup baptism.
Notable among the returning players is co-captain Dewi Lake and the seasoned Taulupe Faletau, both set to grace the pitch after recovering from injuries. Surprisingly, Gatland’s announcement came 24 hours ahead of schedule, hinting at his eagerness to unveil his game plan. Flanker Jac Morgan is poised to take the armband as the openside flanker, adding a new dimension to the team’s leadership.
The formidable trio in the back row comprises Jac Morgan, Aaron Wainwright at blindside, and the experienced Taulupe Faletau returning at No. 8, marking his 101st cap, having last played during the Six Nations against the tournament hosts, France.
George North, a stalwart of Welsh rugby, will make his 17th Rugby World Cup appearance, highlighting his consistent excellence across four tournaments. He partners with Nick Tompkins in the midfield, promising a formidable combination.
The half-back pairing of Gareth Davies at scrum-half and Dan Biggar at fly-half adds a wealth of experience to the team. Both players are participating in their third global tournament. Davies has been a key presence in each of Wales’ last 12 World Cup matches spanning the 2015 and 2019 competitions. Notably, Dan Biggar is on the brink of reaching a milestone, with 97 points already scored at Rugby World Cups.
Warren Gatland shared his insights on the selection, emphasising the team’s hard work and preparation in the lead-up to this crucial clash. He acknowledged Fiji’s strengths, saying, “Fiji are a good side with some great individual athletes and they play with a lot more structure now than maybe they have done traditionally. We’ve had some good clarity about what we want to achieve and the way we want to play on the weekend. It’s going to be an exciting contest on Sunday and one that we are relishing.”
Gatland expressed confidence in the squad’s unity, highlighting the positive team environment, and their readiness to kick off their Rugby World Cup 2023 campaign, stating, “The boys are looking sharp, there’s a great environment in this group – players working for each other, enjoying each other’s company. We’re in a good place and can’t wait to get out there.”
Here’s the Wales lineup to face Fiji:
Starting XV:
- Liam Williams (Kubota Spears – 85 caps)
- Louis Rees Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 27 caps)*
- George North (Ospreys – 114 caps)
- Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 28 caps)*
- Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 50 caps)
- Dan Biggar (RC Toulonnais – 109 caps)
- Gareth Davies (Scarlets – 69 caps)
- Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 22 caps)*
- Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 34 caps)
- Tomas Francis (Provence Rugby – 72 caps)
- Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 25 caps)*
- Adam Beard (Ospreys – 47 caps)
- Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 39 caps)
- Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 11 caps) – Captain*
- Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 100 caps)
Replacements: 16. Elliot Dee (Dragons – 43 caps)
- Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Rugby – 2 caps)*
- Dillon Lewis (Harlequins – 51 caps)
- Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 7 caps)*
- Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 10 caps)*
- Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 48 caps)
- Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 4 caps)*
- Rio Dyer (Dragons – 9 caps)*
15 Liam Williams (Kubota Spears – 85 caps)
14 Louis Rees Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 27 caps)*
13 George North (Ospreys – 114 caps)
12 Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 28 caps)*
11 Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 50 caps)
10 Dan Biggar (RC Toulonnais – 109 caps)
9 Gareth Davies (Scarlets – 69 caps);
1 Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 22 caps)*
2 Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 34 caps)
3 Tomas Francis (Provence Rugby – 72 caps)
4 Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 25 caps)*
5 Adam Beard (Ospreys – 47 caps)
6 Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 39 caps)
7 Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 11 caps) captain*
8 Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 100 caps)
Replacements
16 Elliot Dee (Dragons – 43 caps)
17 Corey Domachowski ( Cardiff Rugby – 2 caps)*
18 Dillon Lewis (Harlequins – 51 caps)
19 Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 7 caps)*
20 Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 10 caps)*
21 Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 48 caps)
22 Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 4 caps)*
23 Rio Dyer (Dragons – 9 caps)*
