Warren Gatland has announced the Wales side that will take on South Africa in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals this weekend.
Tyler Morgan returns to the 13 shirt, with George North shifting to his preferred role on the wing in place of the injured Liam Williams. Gethin Jenkins returns on the loosehead in place of Paul James, who drops to the bench.
Dan Lydiate is back in the blindside role, with Sam Warburton returning to his preferred number seven shirt to complete a well-oiled triumvirate with Taulupe Faletau. Luke Charteris is rewarded for his fine performance against Australia with the retention of the number four shirt ahead of Bradley Davies.
“After coming through an incredibly tough Pool, we are excited to be in the quarter-finals and returning to Twickenham,” said Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland.
“The physicality and intensity of the matches so far will stand us in good stead for what is going to be a huge battle against the Springboks. They have grown game on game in this tournament and we know the challenge that faces us from a talented South African side.”
WALES TEAM TO PLAY SOUTH AFRICA
Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), George North (Northampton Saints), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (CAPT) (Cardiff Blues), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Paul James (Ospreys), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), James Hook (Gloucester Rugby).
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
O Lord, we beseech thee….let this me C++butt’s last game for Wales!!!
Basically the team I would have gone for but I am concerned that Jenkins is starting as he will be torn to pieces by the Bok Front Row and we’ll be on the back from the start as a result.
I would have gone for Paul James and used Jenkins and Tips later on. Ho Hum.
He may surprise us with an truly outstanding game but I don’t think so.
Whatever happens we got further than we ever thought we would back when the draw was done.
My mates and I still cannot stop laughing at the fate and state of English rugby as the fallout from THEIR 2015 RWC continues.
Enoch, as a Welsh man I too am delighted to have progressed from the group, and to have a stab at the quarters. I also share your view of the team and the selection of Jenkins over James. In terms of a result I dream of going further but am realistic that the odds may be against us here.
But can I implore you to please now drop the bashing of England and mocking their progress in this competition? As Welsh fans, can we not start to focus on Wales’s opportunity rather than revelling in England’s downfall? Lest you forget, we’ve not made the quarters twice ourselves.
Maybe I’m a lone voice, but I find it demeaning to other Welsh fans who are then accused of poor sportsmanship. If we want to close the gap on the Southern Hemisphere, we have to think bigger than just beating England.
Thank you for that, it would be very easy to get in digs back at the muppet eunuch & just ask him to look how many golden cups are sewn on the Welsh jersey.
I wish you and proper Welsh fans(excluding the idiot I refer to) luck at the weekend, all I want is a good game of rugby to watch.
Well it’s a comfort to know I’m not alone!
The so called “state of English rugby” is also a mute point. There is easily the strength and depth to select a world beating side. This world cup appears to have hinged more on poor squad selection followed by some poor match day combinations. They came one poor decision away from getting out of the group themselves (i.e. a kick IF successful for a draw against Wales). They were outclassed by a quality Australian side but the score was not a true reflection of the game. And against the same team Wales also failed to win when we had opportunity against 13 men. Would Watson or JJ have found a gap where we didn’t?
If they sort the coaching set up and select the right team, then they could target the 6 nations. Now when did that last happen… a home nation side not make the quarters and then the following year win a grand slam…
But this is a thread about the Welsh selection. And on that point I would have preferred to see nipper Morgan on the wing over Cuthbert. Bags of fizz, plenty of pace, someone to nurture as the next Shane Williams. A return to running rugby over crash-ball.
Thanks for the positive comments kick.
Can I just say,without any sarcasm or attempt to gain the high ground that I hope all 3 remaining home nations overturn their opponents . It will be bloody hard work, but it can be done.
Hear, hear.
Interesting to see Jenkins back in the starting line-up. I think he will be targeted at scrum time, as he’s not been on his best form there recently. Aside from that I think the only other potentially weak area is Cuthbert on the right wing. Up against Habana we could really see his defensive frailties laid bare if Le Roux and Habana want to test him.
Tolstoy got it wrong when it comes to Enoch.
Instead of…
“The only absolute knowledge attainable by man is that life is meaningless”
…He should have said…
“the only absolute knowledge attainable by man is that Enoch cannot breathe without thinking of England, and without their existence, his life would be meaningless”