Lake to skipper Wales as Gatland makes multiple changes for Portugal clash 

Following Wales’ nail-biting 32-26 victory over Fiji on Sunday, Gatland has chosen to rotate his hand with only Toby Faletau and Louis Rees-Zammit remaining in the starting fifteen. 

Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake will lead the Welsh after recovering from injury with recalls for experienced duo Lee Halfpenny and Dan Lydiate to a lineup that sees Cardiff scrum-half Tomas Williams win his 50^th cap for his country. 

Johnny Williams and Mason Grady will link up at centre to make their World Cup bows, whilst there will be an emotional return to the lineup for experienced fly-half Gareth Anscombe who has not been seen in the fold since a serious shoulder injury against Australia in 2022. The Osprey comes in for the rested Dan Biggar, one of three Welsh players carrying knocks ahead of the match. 

The Portuguese, competing in only their second World Cup after their last appearance coming back in France in 2007, have not been victorious in their previous four matches.  

Coming into the match as rank outsiders, the team known as the Wolves will be looking to spoil the party on their first outing of the tournament and will be keen to improve on a record that saw a 103-8 obliteration to New Zealand and a 56-10 hammering to Scotland.  

A pre-tournament 46-20 win over the USA showing that Frenchman Patrice Lagisquet’s side will perhaps not be such a walkover on this occasion, whilst a 25-25 draw in the 2022 Six Nations B tournament with Wales final pool opponents Georgia further backing up that notion of a side showing improvements on the pitch. 

Gatland, however, is confident his side can get the job done and make it two wins from two. 

“We’ve made a few changes this week given the six-day turnaround. We’ve done a thorough debrief of last week’s game and know the areas we need to improve, explained Gatland. 

“Portugal are a skillful side and will be raring to go this weekend in their first match of the tournament. 

“We have a clear plan of how we want to play on Saturday, and it is about going out there and executing that as we have prepared. 

“There’s some great competition within the squad which is what we want to see. There’s a chance now for this group to go out on Saturday and put down their own marker for the tournament. 

“We’re excited to get back out there and are looking forward to seeing more great support from the traveling fans out in Nice.” 

Wales XV to face Portugal: Halfpenny, Rees-Zammit, Grady, J Williams, Dyer, Anscombe, T Williams, Smith, Lake (captain), D Lewis, Tshiunza, Jenkins, Lydiate, Reffell, Faletau. 

Replacements: Elias, Domachowski, Francis, Beard, Basham, G Davies, Costelow, Adams. 

(Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union)