Jonathan Davies out of France match
Centre Jonathan Davies is a late removal from the Wales team for their quarter-final encounter with France.
Davies has been removed from the match day 23 due to an aggravation of the knee injury he sustained in the game against Fiji. Owen Watkin starts at 13 with Leigh Halfpenny coming onto the bench.
Five changes from the Welsh side that beat France in the Six Nations this February, with Wyn Jones coming in for Rob Evans, Jake Ball coming in for Adam Beard, Aaron Wainwright enters the back row for Ross Moriarty. At half-back Tomos Williams is replaced by Gareth Davies while Dan Biggar comes in for the injured Gareth Anscombe.
Alun Wyn Jones will play his 141st test match for Wales and the British & Irish Lions, equalling Brian O'Driscoll's record for a player from the original Five Nations. Richie McCaw (NZL, 148) and Sergio Parisse (ITA, 142) are the only players who have played more test matches.
Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric, Josh Adams and Hadleigh Parkes keep their places in the starting line-up from the team that beat Uruguay 35-13 on Sunday.
WALES TEAM
1. Wyn Jones
2. Ken Owens
3. Tom Francis
4. Jake Ball
5. Alun Wyn Jones (capt.)
6. Aaron Wainwright
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Josh Navidi
9. Gareth Davies
10. Dan Biggar
11. Josh Adams
12. Hadleigh Parkes
13. Owen Watkin
14. George North
15. Liam Williams
16. Elliot Dee
17. Rhys Carre
18. Dillon Lewis
19. Adam Beard
20. Ross Moriarty
21. Tomos Williams
22. Rhys Patchell
23. Leigh Halfpenny
Latest Comments
Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
Go to comments