Following Wales’ last-gasp bonus point 28-8 victory over Portugal on Saturday, Gatland has chosen to recall several of his first-choice line up as the Welsh aim to progress to the knockout stages of the competition with victory.
A wounded Australia, however, will be a difficult proposition with nothing but a win for the Wallabies likely to save Eddie Jones’ side from an early exit from the competition at the group stage for the first time.
Only three survivors remain for the Welsh from the Portugal win in joint captain Jac Morgan, number eight Toby Faletau and wing Louis Rees-Zammit, with the experienced campaigners George North, Dan Biggar and Liam Williams amongst the returnees.
There is no place in the squad for co-captain Dewi Lake, with Ryan Elias preferred at hooker in a pack that sees Adam Beard winning his 50th cap, whilst a strong Welsh bench includes English-born prop Harry Thomas for the first time in the competition.
“We’re happy with our position going into this game. We have two wins and ten points. There is a confidence amongst this group, and we’ve had a good edge to training this week,” said Gatland.
“Everyone wants to be involved and there were some disappointed players this week, which is exactly what we want with competition strong across the squad.
“Every game in the World Cup is tough, the stakes are high, and this will be no different.
“Australia have talented players and we know they will want to come out and put in a performance this weekend.
“Our accuracy was good against Fiji, but it was not at the level we would have liked against Portugal. We are looking to get better every week.
“Against Australia, we know we have to take our chances and put them under as much pressure as possible.
“If we play the way we know we can and maintain that for 80 minutes, then we know we will be a very hard team to beat.”
Wales XV to face Australia: L Williams, Rees-Zammit, North, Tompkins, Adams, Biggar, G Davies, G Thomas, Elias, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, Wainwright, Morgan (captain), Faletau.
Replacements: Dee, Domachowski, H Thomas, D Jenkins, Basham, T Williams, Anscombe, Dyer.
[Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union]
