Wales head coach Warren Gatland has made three changes to his starting line-up for his team’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa in Japan this Sunday.
Two of the changes are enforced as both Josh Navidi and Liam Williams have been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament through injury. Navidi’s fate was known shortly after last weekend’s 20-19 victory over France, in which he went off in the 27th minute, with Ross Moriarty now taking his place in the team.
However, star full-back Williams has been ruled out of Wales’ last two games of the competition due to an ankle injury he picked up during a training session this week. Although it is a massive blow for the men in red they have the luxury of being able to call in the ever-reliable Leigh Halfpenny who will be more than up for the challenge.
In more positive news for Welsh fans, Gatland has been able to recall centre Jonathan Davies after he missed last weekend’s win due to a knee injury. His return sees Owen Watkin move to the replacements.
Other than that it is as you were with Wyn Jones, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis in the front-row, with Jake Ball and captain Alun Wyn Jones slotting in behind them in the engine-room.
Youngster Aaron Wainwright continues at blindside-flanker following his man of the match performance last time out, with Justin Tupuric on the openside and Moriarty finishes up the pack from No 8.
The electric Gareth Davies is set to win his 50th international cap as he lines up alongside Dan Biggar in the half-backs, with Hadleigh Parkes being joined by the fit-again Jonathan Davies in the centre pairing.
Josh Adams will hope to add to his five tries at the tournament so far as he lines out on the left-wing, with George North on the right and Halfpenny completes the starting team from full-back.
There are impact players on the bench should Wales need them with the likes of Aaron Shingler, Tomos Williams and Rhys Patchell among those joining Watkin in the replacements.
Speaking ahead of the game Gatland believes that should his side come out on top it would be incredible for Welsh rugby as they would progress to their first ever World Cup final but he knows the Boks will be no pushovers.
“I just think for us to get to the final of a World Cup, it will be unbelievable given the small playing numbers we have in Wales. We feel like we continually punch above our weight. But the greatest thing about this group of players, since I have been involved with Wales, is when they put that red jersey on and play for Wales, how much that means. If we can make the World Cup final with the playing numbers we have got, it would be one hell of an achievement. It’s one step at a time. We have got a challenge on our hands on Sunday against a side that has been improving,” he said.
Heading into the game many see Wales as slight underdogs but as we have seen time and time again under Gatland that this side know how to win and they will need a much-improved performance from last weekend if they are to achieve the dream of reaching that first final.
Check Out the Full 23-Man Squad Below.
Starting XV:
Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies, Ross Moriarty, Justin Tipuric, Aaron Wainwright, Alun Wyn Jones (c), Jake Ball, Tomas Francis, Ken Owens, Wyn Jones
Replacements:
Elliot Dee, Rhys Carre, Dillon Lewis, Adam Beard, Aaron Shingler, Tomos Williams, Rhys Patchell, Owen Watkin
