The Welsh fans were in a similar situation to the Wallabies – they could only guess who wass going to start the Cardiff Test on Saturday. No more – the probables have been listed.
Warren Gatland, who knows the value of penalty points, is apparently going with Leigh Halfpenny at fullback, with the dangerous Liam Williams slated to appear on the right wing. Top try-scorer Steff Evans gets the nod on the other edge.
Jonathan Davies was always a lock to play at 13 but the 12 jersey, a bone of contention, looks to be going to Owen Williams. Dan Biggar slots in at 10 and Gareth Davies at 9 – that’s a fast and clever back line.
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The forwards have a mean and hungry look, with Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis in the front row, while Jake Ball and Alun Wyn Jones are in the engine room – the front five’s built around power.
Josh Navidi, a real flyer, is at openside flanker, Aaron Shingler, a great lineout option, takes the blindside spot, and Taulupe Faletau, one of the best eights in the business, anchors the scrum.
Wales have played only two Tests this year, both in June. They beat Tonga 24-6 in the rain in Auckland, and Samoa by just two points in Samoa. But the tourists were missing 12 of their best, who were on duty with the Lions. And in the Samoa game, most of the Welsh had some kind of stomach bug. So Saturday will be a whole new ball game, with very close to their strongest team – although George North and Sam Warburton are major losses.
If we knew who was going to play where for the Wallabies, we could make some direct comparisons. But one comparison’s easy – the Wallabies have played several Tests recently and Wales haven’t. So the home side have to click from the get-go.
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