Wales re-jig back division for World Cup clash with Fiji in Cardiff
Tuesday 29 September 2015 15:00, UK
Wales have made three changes to their team for Thursday's key World Cup game against Fiji in Cardiff, with Matthew Morgan, Alex Cuthbert and Tyler Morgan all starting.
Matthew Morgan and Cuthbert will form a new-look back-three alongside George North, while Tyler Morgan - who has just one cap - will partner Jamie Roberts in the centre.
The pack is unchanged for the Millennium Stadium clash and back rowers Dan Lydiate and Taulupe Faletau will both earn their 50th caps.
Wales are on course for quarter-final qualification after Saturday's dramatic 28-25 win over tournament hosts England at Twickenham, in which they fought back from 10 points behind in the second half.
However, they will almost certainly need to win at least one of their remaining matches to guarantee a place in the last eight.
And Wales have been forced to make changes in their back division because full-back Liam Williams was concussed at Twickenham, sidelining him for the Fiji game, while centre Scott Williams and wing Hallam Amos are out of the tournament after they were injured in that match.
Matthew Morgan, 23, and Tyler Morgan, 20, will therefore make their first World Cup starts, Tyler Morgan having only been called into the squad when Cory Allen suffered a tournament-ending injury during the win over Uruguay.
Versatile Gloucester back James Hook will be on the bench, having been called into the squad as a replacement on Monday.
Head coach Warren Gatland said: "It is important we build on the success and momentum from last weekend and take that into Thursday.
"Fiji have performed very well in their opening two games and they will be coming to Cardiff looking to build on that themselves.
"We have made three changes through injury but go into this game with a strong side.
"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: 15 Matthew Morgan, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Gethin Jenkins, 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Bradley Davies, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Dan Lydiate, 7 Sam Warburton (c), 8 Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Aaron Jarvis, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Luke Charteris, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 James Hook
