Wales have made eight changes from the side that narrowly lost to Australia for Saturday’s encounter with another World Cup group rival, Fiji, at the Millennium Stadium, but eight Lions are among the starters and it is a more experienced team than the head coach, Warren Gatland, usually picks for the autumn international that does not involve a tier-one nation.
Gethin Jenkins will lead the side from loosehead prop with Sam Warburton rested, and the tighthead prop Samson Lee is the only survivor from the tight-five forwards who started against the Wallabies. Dan Lydiate and Taulupe Faletau remain in the back row where Justin Tipuric replaces Warburton.
Mike Phillips and Rhys Priestland are the half-backs with James Hook, who was called into the squad this week as cover for the injured Dan Biggar, on the bench. Scott Williams has recovered from a hamstring strain to partner Jamie Roberts in the midfield and George North moves from centre to the left wing with Liam Williams switching from wing to full-back to complete a powerful back division.
Wales have slipped up against Fiji and Samoa in the past under Gatland and while he is mindful of the demands facing his players in the final two weeks when New Zealand and South Africa visit Cardiff, he has the World Cup in mind as well as momentum.
“We have made a number of changes, but we are going out there with what we think is a strong side to take on Fiji,” said Gatland. “The whole squad has been working hard and pressing for selection and it is an opportunity for others to start. We were pleased with the performance against Australia and this weekend will be about building on that. We have made some changes, a few enforced by injury, but we do not feel tat the side has been weakened.”
Wales team to play Fiji
L Williams (Scarlets); A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Scarlets), J Roberts (Racing Métro), G North (Northampton); R Priestland (Scarlets), M Phillips (Racing Métro); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues, capt), S Baldwin (Ospreys), S Lee (Scarlets), B Davies (Wasps), L Charteris (Racing Métro), D Lydiate (unattached), J Tipuric (Ospreys), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: E Phillips (Scarlets), N Smith (Ospreys), R Jones (Scarlets), A-W Jones, J King (both Ospreys), R Williams (Scarlets), J Hook (Gloucester), C Allen (Cardiff Blues).
