Wales pick two playmakers for Wallabies
Nov 9, 2017 - 11:42 AM Wales has opted for playmakers at No.10 and No.12 in Dan Biggar and newcomer Owen Williams against Australia in their Test at Principality Stadium on Saturday.Wales earlier dropped the 96-cap inside back Jamie Roberts, the talisman of the Warrenball era, and underlined a more expansive style by pairing Biggar with Williams, who plays for Gloucester and will make his home debut.
Williams scored two tries in his last Test against Samoa.
Also playing their first Tests at home will be left wing Steff Evans, and Josh Navidi, who starts at openside flank in the absence of the injured Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric.
Navidi and Aaron Shingler, who featured in victories over Tonga and Samoa in June, are in the back row with No.8 Taulupe Faletau.
Regular scrumhalf Rhys Webb is injured so Gareth Davies starts, and tighthead prop Samson Lee has missed out despite Rob Evans not having played since September because of a head knock.
Three uncapped players are in the reserves: Prop Leon Brown, flanker Sam Cross, and Wales Under-20 centre Owen Watkin.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones is one of seven Lions in the side.
"It's going to be a tough first-up game, and we need to be up and running," coach Warren Gatland said. "We have a squad that's on form and we are excited to see what they can do."
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Owen Williams, Steff Evans, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Taulupe Faletau, Josh Navidi, Aaron Shingler, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Jake Ball, Tomas Francis, Ken Owens, Rob Evans. Reserves: Kristian Dacey, Nicky Smith, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, Sam Cross, Aled Davies, Owen Watkin, Hallam Amos.
Source: AAP
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