Share

Williams and Lee back for Wales

Cardiff - Scarlets duo Liam Williams and Samson Lee have been named in a far from full strength Wales team for their opening Rugby World Cup Pool A match against Uruguay on Sunday.

Fullback Williams and prop Lee make their long-awaited return from injuries, the former slotting into Leigh Halfpenny's slot at the back, while Lee packs down with Ospreys duo Paul James and Scott Baldwin, veteran prop Gethin Jenkins rested for the game against the South American amateurs.

"It is great to have Liam and Samson back in the starting line-up. They have trained incredibly hard and Sunday is a great opportunity for them," coach Warren Gatland said ahead of the match at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

"It's a great opportunity for all the players and it's an exciting time ahead."

In a reshuffled side against the minnows of the so-called "group of death" that also includes hosts England, two-time champions and current second-ranked Australia and an exciting looking Fiji, Williams will form a back-three alongside Alex Cuthbert and Hallam Amos.

Cory Allen and Scott Williams make up the midfield partnership, while Rhys Priestland starts at fly-half alongside Gareth Davies.

Incumbent flyhalf Dan Biggar, centre Jamie Roberts and wing George North are rested completely, with Gatland's eye undoubtedly on the more taxing matches to come.

Jake Ball and Luke Charteris pack down in the second-row, normal starter Alun Wyn Jones not even named in the match-day 23, while there is a new look back row with captain Sam Warburton starting at blindside flank alongside Justin Tipuric and James King at No 8.

"The squad are extremely excited to kick their Rugby World Cup campaign off on Sunday," Gatland said.

"Playing in a World Cup, in your home country, at your home ground is a great honour and I'm sure the players will take that into the game.

"Uruguay will be looking to show what they are capable of and we know we need to be clinical on Sunday."

Ken Owens, Aaron Jarvis and Tomas Francis are named as the front row replacements along with three further forwards - Dominic Day, Dan Lydiate and Ross Moriarty. Lloyd Williams and Matthew Morgan complete the replacements.

Team:

Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Cory Allen, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 James King, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Sam Warburton (captain), 5 Jake Ball, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Paul James

Substitutes: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Aaron Jarvis, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Dominic Day, 20 Dan Lydiate, 21 Ross Moriarty, 22 Lloyd Williams, 23 Matthew Morgan

Uruguay: TBA 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1814 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1774 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1082 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 459 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 186 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE