Wales have confined themselves to three enforced changes from the side that defeated England at Twickenham at the weekend for Thursday evening’s encounter with Fiji at the Millennium Stadium.
Three backs have been ruled out by injury: Liam Williams (concussion), Scott Williams (knee) and Hallam Amos (shoulder) with the latter two ruled out of the rest of the tournament. Matthew Morgan, Tyler Morgan and Alex Cuthbert replace them with James Hook, who was brought into the squad on Monday, named on the bench. The pack remains the same with the back rowers Dan Lydiate and Taulupe Faletau set to win their 50th caps.
Wales cannot qualify for the quarter-finals on Thursday, but a bonus point would all but seal their passage into the last eight with England facing Australia at Twickenham on Saturday. The two Morgans will be making their first appearances of the tournament with Tyler the fifth outside-centre to be used by Wales in the last year.
The Wales head coach Warren Gatland said he had confined himself to enforced changes because he wanted to continue the momentum developed at Twickenham, aware that defeat against a side that has pushed Wales hard in Cardiff over the last decade, drawing in 2010, would be as big a step back as Saturday’s victory was a pace forward.
“It is important that we build on the success,” he said. “Fiji have performed well in their opening two matches and they will be looking to build on that. We are looking forward to being back at the Millennium Stadium on Thursday and having the crowd right behind us in an important World Cup fixture.”
Wales will have home advantage in the pool for the second time even though England won the right to host the World Cup on a sole nation bid. They agreed that the Millennium Stadium could be used to help swell ticket sales and did not oppose Wales playing matches there, a decision they may come to regret.
Fiji will be without their wing and goal-kicker Nemani Nadolo who has been banned for one match after being cited for a dangerous tackle during last week’s defeat to Australia and they intend to spoil Wales’s night.
“Wales will be confident after their victory over England,” said the Fiji backs coach, John Matson. “They were the perfect example of a side who, despite individuals falling over, managed to remain standing as a team. It is tough for us having to play the countries ranked at two, three and four in the world in 13 days, but we are enjoying ourselves and Thursday is a great opportunity for us. We will challenge Wales hard.”
Wales squad to face Fiji
Matthew Morgan (Bristol), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), George North (Northampton), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Tomas Francis (Exeter), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (capt, Cardiff), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons)
Replacements Ken Owens (Scarlets), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff), Rhys Priestland (Bath), James Hook (Gloucester)
