WALES SET FOR SUPER SUNDAY CLASHES
WALES were always going to field a very different-looking team for their final World Cup group match against Uruguay and so it’s proved.
There are only two survivors from the side that started the bonus point victory over Fiji – Josh Adams and Hadleigh Parkes – with a number of squad members getting their first slice of the action in this tournament.
We look at the radically re-shaped team for the Kumamoto City clash.
LEIGH HALFPENNY
It’s a first World Cup start in eight years for the man who missed the 2015 tournament after sustaining a serious knee injury on its eve and who has been limited to a 20-minute outing off the bench against Georgia out in Japan.
With Wales having missed 77 tackles in their opening three pool matches, he will be out to demonstrate the defensive and positional security he offers, while also contributing in an attacking sense.
JOSH ADAMS
Given the back-line injuries, some first-team starters were going to have to go again and Adams is one of those, as his highly eventful week continues.
With George North nursing a sore ankle and Liam Williams rested, it’s Adams who stays on board in the back three for his fourth successive tournament start.
OWEN WATKIN
This is a really big game for Watkin and a big opportunity.
After injury to Jonathan Davies, Wales will want to see the 22-year-old Osprey show he is ready to step up to the quarter-final plate if required, as he dons the No.13 jersey. HADLEIGH PARKES
When Parkes suffered a broken bone in his hand against Georgia, you didn’t imagine we would see him in this game. It would surely be one he would sit out to aid the healing process.
But with his midfield partner Davies out, it’s the Scarlets No.12 who has to roll his sleeves up and get out there again and maybe cover fly-half too.
HALLAM AMOS
He’s had to bide his time in this tournament, but now the Bluesbound Amos gets his chance.
Warren Gatland has said he have would ideally liked to give him a run at full-back, but it’s the wing berth he occupies.
RHYS PATCHELL
He’s had a fine World Cup so far, rising to the challenge when called into action with the result in the balance against both Australia and Fiji.
Now he’s in from the start with Dan Biggar sitting this one out after taking a double bang to the head in a sickening collision with Liam Williams on Wednesday.
ALED DAVIES
The 27-year-old has been something of a forgotten man so far out in Japan, having been relegated to third-choice scrum-half and a spectating role in the stand by Tomos Williams’ return to fitness.
So he will be itching to get out there and send out a reminder to the coaches.
NICKY SMITH
Despite Rob Evans’ absence, Smith has found himself playing second fiddle, with Wyn Jones drafted in to shore up a scrum that creaked badly during the summer.
He will now want to show he too can provide security in that area while also demonstrating how much he offers over the ball, where he really excels.
RYAN ELIAS
Just a fourth Test start for the 24-year-old Scarlets hooker and a first World Cup outing.
Barring injuries to Ken Owens or Elliot Dee, it is likely to be his only involvement in the tournament so he will want to make the most of it. DILLON LEWIS
Like Smith, he is excellent over the ball at the breakdown and makes a significant impact in the loose with his carrying when he comes on.
His challenge now is to provide a scrummaging cornerstone from the outset on this rare start. BRADLEY DAVIES
He would have expected to be playing at the Liberty Stadium this weekend rather than the Kumamoto Stadium, but got the call after Cory Hill returned home.
So instead of Benetton, it’s Uruguay for him, as he comes in to take the load and provide 65-caps worth of experience and a bulky presence in the boilerhouse on just his second start in 16 months. ADAM BEARD
After a delayed link-up with the squad, he has gradually been recovering from his appendix operation and regaining fitness.
Now he is ready to join the fray and will be straining at the leash after the frustrations of the past few weeks, knowing he can force his way into the 23 for the quarter-finals if he shows he is back firing again. AARON SHINGLER
Up to now, it’s been emergency second row cover duty for Shingler, who has come off the bench in that role in all three group matches.
But with Davies and Beard having bolstered the lock department, he is able to return to his more familiar blindside berth.
JUSTIN TIPURIC (C)
After excelling in the opening two pool matches, Tipuric was left out of the 23 to face Fiji, leaving him disappointed, according to Warren Gatland. Now he’s back as captain, with the coaches wanting some experience and leadership on board for this game.