WARREN GATLAND HAS drafted in Justin Tipuric to his backrow for Saturday’s Pool A decider with Australia at Twickenham.
With number eight David Pocock causing havoc at the breakdown for Australia last week, Gatland is giving a chance to his rucking specialist Tipuric, with Dan Lydiate dropping out of the matchday squad.
Although Lydiate suffered an eye-socket injury in the win against Fiji, the coach had reported a fully-fit squad to choose from.
Tipuric is one of six personnel changes made by Gatland following the Fiji win, with Gareth Anscombe brought in at fullback for Matthew Morgan, and Tyler Morgan stepping out for Liam Williams, meaning George North moves into the centre.
The halfback pairing of Gareth Davies and Dan Biggar is retained for the third game in a row, after impressing in the wins against England and Fiji.
In the front row Scott Baldwin has two new props by his side with Samson Lee and Paul James returning to bolster a Welsh scrum that has struggled so far in the tournament.
Luke Charteris replaces Bradley Davies in the second row to partner Alun Wyn Jones, while Tipuric is the only change in the backrow, linking up with captain Sam Warburton and Talupe Faletau.
The prize for the winners of the meeting between Wales and Australia is a quarter final against either Scotland or Japan, after South Africa sealed top spot in Pool B yesterday.
Wales (v Australia)
15. Gareth Anscombe
14. Alex Cuthbert
13. George North
12. Jamie Roberts
11. Liam Williams
10. Dan Biggar
9. Gareth Davies
1. Paul James
2. Scott Baldwin
3. Samson Lee
4. Luke Charteris
5. Alun Wyn Jones
6. Sam Warburton (Capt)
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements:
16. Ken Owens
17. Aaron Jarvis
18. Tomas Francis
19. Jake Ball
20. Ross Moriarty
21. Lloyd Williams
22. Rhys Priestland
23. James Hook
Absolute legend. He has to be up there with Maldini in my book. Sheer class
Was blessed to see him play twice in San Siro. 2003 & 2009, the man could see things before they even happened!!!
Absolutely agree with the sentiments of the above comment.
The last time I saw Nesta however, FC Montreal’s Darren O’Dea was leaving him for dead before smashing home a fine goal.
That’s obviously quite a sobering experience for such a true great of the sport, so this news isn’t massively surprising…
Yee I would imagine the aul legs wouldn’t be coveing the yards as quickly but as the saying goes “Form is temporary, class is permanent”
Super player,one of the best defenders of his generation.