Biggar rested as Wales make changes for Portugal clash

Warren Gatland has opted to make 13 changes to his side that faced Fiji; Louis Rees-Zammit and Taulupe Faletau are the only players to stay in the starting XV; Wales continue their World Cup campaign against Portugal in Pool C on Saturday (4:45pm UK time);

Last Updated: 13/09/23 9:21pm

Dan Biggar has been rested by Wales head coach Warren Gatland as he makes 13 changes to his side to face Portugal in their second match of the Rugby World Cup.

Louis Rees-Zammit and Taulupe Faletau are the only players to be retained in the starting line-up from Wales’ opening clash against Fiji, with Leigh Halfpenny coming in as one of the more notable additions at full-back for his 101st cap.

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Tomos Williams is in at scrum-half for his 50th cap, while Gareth Anscombe will make his first start of the tournament at fly-half.

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Highlights from day three of the Rugby World Cup in France where there were wins for defending champions South Africa, Japan, and Wales. Credit: RWCL

Gatland has also handed out four World Cup debuts with Dewi Lake captaining the side at hooker, Johnny Williams and Mason Grady in the centres and Christ Tshiunza at lock.

Lake is joined by Nicky Smith and Dillon Lewis in the front row, Dafyyd Jenkins partners Tshiunza in the second row, and Rio Dyer pairs up on the wing with Rees-Zammit.

Dan Lydiate starts at blindside flanker while Tommy Reffell makes his first start of this year’s tournament at openside flanker, with Faletau continuing at No. 8 to finish off the pack and get some more game time under his belt after recently returning from a calf injury.

Wales’ replacements include Gareth Davies, Sam Costelow and Josh Adams in the backs, with Ryan Elias, Corey Domachowski and Tomas Francis the options for the front row and Adam Beard in as the second row cover.

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Warren Gatland says his team’s game management was ‘dumb’ during Wales’ win over Fiji in the Rugby World Cup.

Taine Basham, also in-line for his world cup debut, is the final forward replacement.

“We’ve made a few changes this week given the six-day turnaround,” said Gatland.

“This is an opportunity now for this matchday 23. I’ve said before, but 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 Saturday and to put down their own marker in the tournament.

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