Lake back for Wales for final Pool clash against Georgia

In a surprisingly early team selection by the Kiwi, 24-year-old Osprey’s hooker Lake will lead the Welsh with club teammate Jac Morgan rested for the fixture.  

Also getting an opportunity in the pack is Exeter Chief’s Dafydd Jenkins, replacing Adam Beard who has been given time away from the squad following the birth of his third child. 

Wales, needing just a bonus point from the fixture to guarantee progression as pool winners, have also shuffled their backs with Dragon’s wing Rio Dyer in for Josh Adams and Cardiff scrum-half Tomos Williams returning in place of Gareth Davies. Whilst Leicester flanker Tommy Reffell will make his first start of the tournament. 

Scarlets fly-half Gareth Anscombe, so impressive after scoring 23 points after coming on early into the 40-6 victory over Australia, as expected will deputise for the injured Dan Biggar who is recovering from a pectoral muscle strain.  

Number eight Toby Faletau and wing Louis Rees-Zammit will be the only members of the side to feature from the start in all four matches in the tournament. 

With many expecting more changes to the side, attack coach Alex King believes the selection represents Wales’ aims of keeping standards high after the Australia victory. 

“We want to win the game and we want to carry the momentum of the last four weeks,” explained King. 

“We have got high standards, and it is important we adhere to them whoever we are playing. It was a step in the right direction, great to qualify, but we have got unfinished business for the weekend. 

“We understand the threat Georgia pose, understand what happened in Cardiff 11 months ago. 

“The performance they put in against Fiji on Saturday to nil at half-time was a fantastic effort with all the threats they’ve got.” 

“I know one of their coaches [Joe Worsley] very well, and he will have them absolutely firing on Saturday afternoon, that is for sure. 

King also revealed that he is hopeful that Toulon fly-half Biggar will be fit for Wales’ last eight-tie which is likely to be against either Japan or Argentina. Two sides that will face off on the weekend to decide the runners-up spot in Pool D. 

“He [Biggar] is just getting his recovery in after the slight injury he got against Australia and is at the recovery stage,” continued King. 

 “It is important he gets back ready for selection for the quarter-final. 

“Gareth [Anscombe] was great [against Australia]. He came on early, the guys on the bench have got such an important role to be ready to go straightaway. 

“You have got to know your role and be ready to step in at any moment, and that is the strength of this squad. 

“Everyone has to be at it. Attack, defense, kicking game, forwards to win these games, against Australia, it all came together.” 

Wales XV to face Georgia: L Williams, Rees-Zammit, North, Tompkins, Dyer, Anscombe, T Williams, G Thomas, Lake (captain), Francis, Rowlands, D Jenkins, Wainwright, Reffell, Faletau. 

Replacements: Dee, Smith, H Thomas, Tshiunza, Basham, G Davies, Costelow, Grady. 

[Feature image: Welsh Rugby Union]