News

Wales bring back the big boys for France quarter-final

JonathanDavies2FraWal2000SB19
Warren Gatland is taking no chances on Sunday against France after naming a full-strength Wales side for their Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

Warren Gatland is taking no chances on Sunday against France after naming a full-strength Wales side for their Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

The big news therefore is that centres Jonathan Davies and Hadleigh Parkes, wing George North and fly-half Dan Biggar have all won their fitness battles to start against their Guinness Six Nations rivals.

The starting XV is the same as the one that downed Australia in the pool stages three weeks ago in Tokyo, meaning Aaron Wainwright again gets the nod in the back row ahead of Ross Moriarty.

Wales have beaten France seven of the last eight times they have faced each other, but previous form goes out the window in a World Cup with a semi-final spot on the line, particularly against Les Bleus.

“We’ve got a good record against France, but they’re traditionally a tournament team,” Gatland said.

“In World Cups, when everyone writes them off, they seem to produce performances nobody expects. We know how hard it is going to be against France.

“It is going to be a tough, physical game and we’re looking forward to that challenge. We feel battle-hardened having come through four games. Like us, France are undefeated as well. It should be a great match.”

Alun Wyn Jones captains the side from the second row, where Jake Ball is alongside him with Wyn Jones, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis in the front row.

Wainwright joins Josh Navidi and Justin Tipuric in the back row while Biggar and Gareth Davies are reunited in the half-backs.

Parkes and Davies resume their centre partnership for club and country while North is passed fit to link up with Liam Williams and joint tournament top try scorer Josh Adams in the back three.

On the bench Elliot Dee, Rhys Carre and Dillon Lewis provide the front-row cover with Adam Beard and Moriarty completing the forward contingent.  Tomos Williams, Rhys Patchell and Owen Watkin provide the backline cover.

WALES TEAM TO PLAY FRANCE ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20:

15. Liam Williams (Saracens) (61 Caps) 14. George North (Ospreys) (89 Caps) 13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (79 Caps) 12. Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) (22 Caps) 11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues) (18 Caps) 10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints) (76 Caps) 9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (48 Caps)

1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets) (19 Caps) 2. Ken Owens (Scarlets) (70 Caps) 3. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (46 Caps) 4. Jake Ball (Scarlets) (39 Caps) 5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (131 Caps) (c) 6. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons) (16 Caps) 7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (69 Caps) 8. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues) (22 Caps)

Replacements:

16. Elliot Dee (Dragons) (26 Caps) 17. Rhys Carre (Saracens) (3 Caps) 18. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues) (19 Caps) 19. Adam Beard (Ospreys) (17 Caps) 20. Ross Moriarty (Dragons) (38 Caps) 21. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues) (13 Caps) 22. Rhys Patchell (Scarlets) (17 Caps) 23. Owen Watkin (Ospreys) (19 Caps)