Wales rest big names for Georgia clash as Warren Gatland reveals his line-up three days early after booking place in last eight at World Cup
- Wales need just a point from Georgia clash on Saturday to finish top of Pool C
- Hooker Dewi Lake takes over the captaincy from Jac Morgan on Saturday
- Warren Gatland has rested six first-choice starters ahead of knockout stages
Warren Gatland has never been one to mess about once his mind is made up and he moved quickly again on Monday, naming his Wales side to face Georgia three days early.
Just as his players were about to start training in front of hundreds of French fans in Versailles, head coach Gatland pulled his media manager aside for a quick word.
Minutes later, Wales made their team for their final Pool C clash official – the press release dropping as the XV selected to run out in Nantes on Saturday began going through their drills.
The local rugby fans – decked out in red – watched on oblivious to the breaking news.
‘It was logical we announced it today,’ Wales attack coach Alex King of his team’s quicker-than-expected team announcement. ‘We have limited training time.
Warren Gatland’s Wales need just a point from Georgia clash to finish top of Pool C
‘It takes all the questions out and gives certainty to the boys.’
Logical it was. But Gatland’s naming of his side for Georgia also reflects the confidence and momentum in the Wales camp having already sealed a quarter-final spot.
After victories over Fiji, Portugal and Australia, Wales only need to take a point from their Georgia clash to finish top of their group.
In all reality, given the injuries in the Lelos camp and the strength of the team picked by Gatland, Wales will win. That would set-up a knock-out clash with either Argentina or Japan.
Michael Cheika’s Pumas are Wales’ most likely opposition.
Gatland has given first-choice starters Dan Biggar, Jac Morgan, Josh Adams, Adam Beard and Ryan Elias the weekend off with the knock-outs in mind.
But his side for Georgia is by no means a second string.
‘We want to carry on the momentum of the last four weeks and re-establish that work,’ said King, emphasising the importance Wales are placing on continuing their winning streak.
Wales hammered Eddie Jones’ Australia 40-6 to confirm their knock-out spot.
Gatland has made six changes to his starting side from the Wallabies with No 10 Biggar rested.
Wales coach has given six first-choice starters including Dan Biggar the weekend off
Biggar suffered a pectoral injury against Australia and trained separately to his team-mates in Versailles by taking part in a tailored running session.
Gareth Anscombe – who replaced Biggar early in the Wallaby win and kicked 23 points in a player-of-the-match performance – starts at fly-half against Georgia.
Hooker Dewi Lake takes over the captaincy from flanker Morgan with Tomos Williams, Rio Dyer, Dafydd Jenkins and Tommy Reffell also coming into Gatland’s starting side.
Reffell begins on the openside flank in place of Morgan after recovering from a calf strain which forced him to pull out of the Portugal win at the 11th hour.
‘He is just getting his recovery in after the slight injury he got against Australia,’ King said of Biggar, who is expected to be fit for Wales when it matters and knock-out rugby arrives.
‘It is just important he gets back ready for selection for the quarter-final.’
Biggar exchanged words in French with the watching fans as he sprinted up and down the touchline.
Scrum-half Gareth Davies sat out Wales training but he is on the bench for Georgia.
Davies and Williams are the only No 9’s in Gatland’s squad so have been involved in every game so far which is why their load is being monitored in the build-up to matches.
Dewi Lake takes over the captaincy from Jac Morgan in final Pool C fixture on Saturday
Wales are in a good place. Wing Louis Rees-Zammit and No 8 Taulupe Faletau are the only players who will have started all four of the pool matches.
Meanwhile, defending World Cup champions South Africa have called up Lukhanyo Am to replace the injured Makazole Mapimpi for the rest of the tournament in France.
The Springboks hammered Tonga 49-18 on Sunday to virtually seal a quarter-final spot but lost wing Mapimpi in Marseilles.
South Africa could still be eliminated from the competition if Scotland beat Ireland with a bonus point on Saturday evening but all signs point to them and Andy Farrell’s No 1-ranked side progressing.
WALES TEAM TO FACE GEORGIA
Liam Williams; Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Nick Tompkins, Rio Dyer; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams, Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (capt), Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands, Dafydd Jenkins, Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Henry Thomas, Christ Tshiunza, Taine Basham, Gareth Davies, Sam Costelow, Mason Grady
(Kick-off 2pm, Saturday)
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