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Dan Biggar returns to Wales XV for Argentina as Anscombe ruled out
By Josh Raisey
Dan Biggar has recovered from his chest injury to start for Wales against Argentina this Saturday in the World Cup quarter-final in Marseille.
After picking up the injury in the opening minutes of the match against Australia, the fly-half was initially scheduled to miss the match against Georgia last week. However, a groin injury to Gareth Anscombe before kick-off meant Biggar was drafted onto the bench- although he was not called upon by Warren Gatland to play. While Biggar has recovered, Anscombe has not, as Sam Costelow starts on the bench this week.
After emerging as an injury doubt this week, Liam Williams retains his place at fullback. The 32-year-old was seen on crutches, but the coaching staff insisted it was only precautionary and allayed any fears that he would miss out.
In the pack, Jac Morgan returns to captain the side at blindside flanker after being rested against Georgia. He forms a new look back-row as Tommy Reffell starts at openside flanker, while Aaron Wainwright is set to step up a fill the void left by the injured Taulupe Faletau in the No8 jersey.
Gatland said: “We had a goal of making the quarter-finals which we have achieved. Now it’s about building on that momentum.
“It’s exciting to enter into the knock-out stages of the tournament and we are ready for the challenge of a quarter-final. All our preparation has been geared to getting to this spot and we’re very much relishing the opportunity.
“We’re expecting another tough encounter this weekend against a physical Argentina side. We haven’t had the perfect performance yet, but we have shown that we are a hard team to beat.
“There is a lot more growth in this squad – collectively and individually – and we can’t wait to get out there in Marseille on Saturday.”
Wales XV
15. Liam Williams (Kubota Spears – 88 caps)
14. Louis Rees Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 31 caps)
13. George North (Ospreys – 117 caps)
12. Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 31 caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 53 caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Toulon – 111 caps)
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets – 73 caps);
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 25 caps)
2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 37 caps)
3. Tomas Francis (Provence Rugby – 76 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 28 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 50 caps)
6. Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 14 caps) Captain
7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 12 caps)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 42 caps)
Replacements
16. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 11 caps)
17. Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (Harlequins – 53 caps)
19. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 11 caps)
20. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 9 caps)
21. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 52 caps)
22. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 7 caps)
23. Rio Dyer (Dragons – 13 caps)
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Latest Comments
Which country do you think was instrumental in developing rugby in Argentina which then spun off into the rest of Latin South America? South Africa was touring Argentine in the 50's with their Junior Bok side on three months development tours. And they didn't do it to cultivare players for the Boks. Regarding Africa you are not taking into account that South Africa itself is an emerging nation. The rugby union has prioritised the development of rugby in South African rural communities with outstanding success.
It has taken 15 years to build the participation of rugby both in playing and watching. For South Africa on its own to build a viable international rugby competition in africa will take generations - not decades. New Zealanders seem to resent the fact that SA has doubled the income of the URC since their inclusion. If New Zealand Rugby hadn't insisted on have a disproportionate slice of the pie in Super Rugby, SA might not have fled the coop.
Go to commentsDon't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
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