Warren Gatland has reinstated his big-name players for the much-anticipated Rugby World Cup clash with Australia in Lyon on Sunday, making 12 changes. He has reverted to much of the starting side which got Wales’ World Cup campaign off to a flying start against Fiji, before he made 12 changes for Portugal last weekend.
Jac Morgan captains Wales again as he starts his third match of the Rugby World Cup, with Aaron Wainwright at blindside flanker and Taulupe Faletau at No. 8 completing the back-row. There is no place in the matchday 23 for Tommy Reffell, who pulled out of Wales v Portugal last weekend with a calf issue.
In the front row, Ryan Elias is named at hooker ahead of co-captain Dewi Lake, who is omitted from the matchday 23, and Elliot Dee, who is named on the bench. Gareth Thomas starts at loosehead prop and Tomas Francis is at tighthead prop. Adam Beard wins his 50th cap at lock, and starts alongside Will Rowlands.
As for the backs, Josh Adams returns on the wing opposite Louis Rees-Zammit and Liam Williams starts at full-back. Nick Tompkins and George North continue their centre partnership, while Gareth Davies is named at scrum-half with Dan Biggar returning at fly-half.
Wales’ replacements include Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe and Rio Dyer as the back line cover. Corey Domachowski and Henry Thomas, who is in line to make his World Cup debut, complete the front row cover. Dafydd Jenkins is the second-row cover and Taine Basham is the final forward replacement.
Gatland is now due to hold a press conference around midday, where he will explain his selection decisions and weigh in on the upcoming clash with the Wallabies.
Meanwhile, Eddie Jones has shaken up his Australia side, with Ben Donaldson moving from full-back to outside-half in place of Carter Gordon, who is named on the bench. Powerful forwards Taniela Tupou and Will Skelton remain on the sidelines with injuries.
If Wales overcome Australia in Lyon on Sunday then it will result in the former world champions being eliminated at the pool stages for the first time in their history. But if Wales were to lose, then they too could be up against it when it comes to reaching the last-eight of this competition. You can read the results Wales need here.
Wales: 15. Liam Williams, 14. Louis Rees-Zammit, 13. George North, 12. Nick Tompkins, 11. Josh Adams, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Gareth Davies, 1. Gareth Thomas, 2. Ryan Elias, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Will Rowlands, 5. Adam Beard, 6. Aaron Wainwright, 7. Jac Morgan (capt), 8. Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: 16. Elliot Dee, 17. Corey Domachowski, 18. Henry Thomas, 19. Dafydd Jenkins, 20. Taine Basham, 21. Tomos Williams, 22. Gareth Anscombe, 23. Rio Dyer.
Australia: 15. Andrew Kellaway, 14. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13. Jordan Petaia, 12. Samu Kerevi, 11. Marika Koroibete, 10. Ben Donaldson, 9. Tate McDermott, 1. Angus Bell, 2, David Porecki (capt), 3. James Slipper, 4. Nick Frost, 5. Richie Arnold, 6. Rob Leota, 7. Tom Hooper, 8. Rob Valetini.
Replacements: 16. Matt Faessler, 17. Blake Schoupp, 18. Pone Fa’amausili, 19. Matt Philip, 20. Fraser McReight, 21. Nic White, 22. Carter Gordon, 23. Suliasi Vunivalu
