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Four changes for Wales as Warren Gatland looks to end winless run
By Liam Heagney
Warren Gatland had announced four changes to his Wales team that will host Australia next Sunday in Cardiff. The Welsh were beaten 19-24 last Sunday at Principality Stadium by Fiji and they will go in against the Wallabies with two alterations to the starting backs and two more up front.
Tom Rogers has been named on the right wing in place of the injured Mason Grady, with Ellis Bevan promoted from the bench to start at scrum-half in place of the excluded Tomos Williams, who is believed to have a shoulder injury.
In the pack, both changes are in the back row where James Botham and Jac Morgan come in for Taine Plumtree and Tommy Reffell.
There are three changes to the replacements which this weekend will have a five/three forwards/backs split rather than the six/two used against the Fijians.
The benched Reffell will now provide the lone back row cover following the promotion of Botham and Morgan into the starting XV. Rhodri Williams is the sub scrum-half with Bevan now starting, while Eddie James has been added as the additional backline option.
Gatland said: “We have had honest reviews after last week’s match. We are expecting an Australia side on a high after their win against England.
“They are a much-improved side since the summer and have played a number of Test matches since we last met. We know we need to put in an 80-minute performance on Sunday.”
The loss to Fiji was Wales’ 10th successive defeat, equalling the low bar set when Steve Hansen was in charge of the side more than 20 years ago.
Wales (vs Australia, Sunday)
15. Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby – 8 caps)
14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 4 caps)
13. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby – 3 caps)
12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
11. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 1 cap)
10. Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester Rugby – 38 caps)
9. Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby – 4 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 34 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 16 caps) captain
3. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby – 4 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 34 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 57 caps)
6. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 14 caps)
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 16 caps)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 51 caps)
Replacements / Eilyddion
16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 42 caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 47 caps)
18. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 8 caps)
19. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 13 caps)
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 21 caps)
21. Rhodri Williams (Dragons – 3 caps)
22. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 16 caps)
23. Eddie James (Scarlets – 1 cap)
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Latest Comments
BB should be back and he should play the 80,Dmac reminds me of the story about the emperor having no clothes on how he got player of the day ahead of Jordan or J Barrett must be for not losing or maybe coal kicking 🤔
Go to commentsThe English biggest problem is that whole board. They need to change it, because all they've shown is how incapable they are of running a business which ultimately it is.
The players they choose for the team isn't even the best players in England. There is better players out there just as you suggested and I've said in one of my responses.
This was a well written no nonsense article. An eye opener. Let's hope they read your articles. There is a lot they can learn from someone like you. Just don't dare leave my Bulls as a coach. 2 URC Finals and no cigar. You'd better give those boys gas when they screw up. We want that URC title this year👍
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