Taulupe Faletau is fit for Wales’ World Cup 2023 match against Fiji, but Dewi Lake is out

Taulupe Faletau has been passed fit to face Fiji in Wales’ opening Rugby World Cup match in Bordeaux.

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With a calf injury, Faletau missed all three World Cup warm-up games in August, but has recovered in time for his 101st cap.

Co-captain Dewi Lake has been left out due to fitness concerns.


Tournament : 8 September to 28 October 2023 
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Aaron Wainwright moves to flanker, and Ryan Elias starts at hooker.

Gareth Davies will partner Dan Biggar, while Saracens centre Nick Tompkins lines up alongside George North in the midfield.

Ten of the 23-man squad will be making their tournament debuts, including North.

The Gatland squad arrived in France this week with a clean bill of health, but Lake, who injured his knee against England on 12 August, will not be risked.

“The medical team has done a fantastic job getting Dewi back to full fitness,” said Gatland.

“He’s not had as much training under his belt as the other hookers since he picked up that knock, so Ryan Elias and Elliot Dee are selected for this game.”

Tommy Reffell missed training on Wednesday due to a leg injury, but has been cleared to play.

Gareth Anscombe, Leigh Halfpenny, and Dan Lydiate cannot attend.

In Pool C, Wales will also face Portugal, Australia, and Georgia.

In the last couple of weeks, the squad has been preparing well for Fiji after working hard over the last few months.

“Fiji are a good side with some great individual athletes and they play with a lot more structure now than maybe they have done traditionally.

“We’ve had some good clarity about what we want to achieve and the way we want to play on the weekend. It’s going to be an exciting contest on Sunday and one that we are relishing.

“The boys are looking sharp, there’s a great environment in this group – players working for each other, enjoying each other’s company.

“We’re in a good place and can’t wait to get out there and get our Rugby World Cup 2023 campaign underway.”

Wales team to face Fiji: L Williams; Rees-Zammit, North, Tompkins, Adams; Biggar, G Davies; G Thomas, Elias, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, Wainwright, Morgan (capt), Faletau.

Replacements: Dee, Domachowski, Lewis, D Jenkins, Reffell, T Williams, Costelow, Dyer.

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