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Four changes for Wales as Warren Gatland looks to end winless run
By Liam Heagney
Warren Gatland had announced four changes to his Wales team that will host Australia next Sunday in Cardiff. The Welsh were beaten 19-24 last Sunday at Principality Stadium by Fiji and they will go in against the Wallabies with two alterations to the starting backs and two more up front.
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Tom Rogers has been named on the right wing in place of the injured Mason Grady, with Ellis Bevan promoted from the bench to start at scrum-half in place of the excluded Tomos Williams, who is believed to have a shoulder injury.
In the pack, both changes are in the back row where James Botham and Jac Morgan come in for Taine Plumtree and Tommy Reffell.
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There are three changes to the replacements which this weekend will have a five/three forwards/backs split rather than the six/two used against the Fijians.
The benched Reffell will now provide the lone back row cover following the promotion of Botham and Morgan into the starting XV. Rhodri Williams is the sub scrum-half with Bevan now starting, while Eddie James has been added as the additional backline option.
Gatland said: “We have had honest reviews after last week’s match. We are expecting an Australia side on a high after their win against England.
“They are a much-improved side since the summer and have played a number of Test matches since we last met. We know we need to put in an 80-minute performance on Sunday.”
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The loss to Fiji was Wales’ 10th successive defeat, equalling the low bar set when Steve Hansen was in charge of the side more than 20 years ago.
Wales (vs Australia, Sunday)
15. Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby – 8 caps)
14. Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 4 caps)
13. Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby – 3 caps)
12. Ben Thomas (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
11. Blair Murray (Scarlets – 1 cap)
10. Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester Rugby – 38 caps)
9. Ellis Bevan (Cardiff Rugby – 4 caps)
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 34 caps)
2. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 16 caps) captain
3. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby – 4 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 34 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 57 caps)
6. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 14 caps)
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 16 caps)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 51 caps)
Replacements / Eilyddion
16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 42 caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 47 caps)
18. Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff Rugby – 8 caps)
19. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 13 caps)
20. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 21 caps)
21. Rhodri Williams (Dragons – 3 caps)
22. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 16 caps)
23. Eddie James (Scarlets – 1 cap)
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?? 17.11.24
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?? https://t.co/F6wtoSy8IN#AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/gl0w4JZsIn— Welsh Rugby Union ??????? (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 11, 2024
Good luck to Wales - you'll need it as the Aussies look re-energized