Williams rested by Wales
Friday 30 September 2011 02:18, UK
Wales coach Warren Gatland has opted against risking Shane Williams for the Pool D finale against Fiji.
Winger has been struggling with a thigh strain
Wales coach Warren Gatland has opted against risking Shane Williams for Sunday's World Cup Pool D finale against Fiji at Waikato Stadium. Williams has been struggling with a thigh strain but although he is fit to play, Wales have gambled on resting him ahead of a possible quarter-final against Ireland. Full-back James Hook (shoulder) and flanker Dan Lydiate (ankle) are also omitted from the side, although Gatland has made seven changes to his line-up following the 81-7 over Namibia. George North, Rhys Priestland, Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones and Luke Charteris all come into the side. Centre Jonathan Davies and lock Alun-Wyn Jones drop to the bench after playing the previous three encounters, with Stephen Jones also having to settle for a place among the replacements.Bench
"Shane might have been available to us if we had pushed him," Gatland said. "But he has taken a limited part in training this week and we are happy with the back three we have been able to put on the field for this game. "Alun Wyn Jones and Jonathan Davies are two of the players who have started in all three games so far, and so we have freshened things up a little in the second row and centre, but we have both of them on the bench if we need them." Victory for Wales - and therefore avenging their 2007 World Cup elimination defeat against Fiji in Nantes - would guarantee them a quarter-final place, although a draw or even just a losing bonus point might also be enough. Wales: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 George North, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Leigh Halfpenny, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (c), 6 Ryan Jones, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Gethin Jenkins.Replacements: 16 Lloyd Burns, 17 Paul James, 18 Alun Wyn Jones, 19 Andy Powell, 20 Lloyd Williams, 21 Stephen Jones, 22 Jonathan Davies
