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Wales have already ensured they’ll be playing knockout rugby next weekend, but they’ll want to make sure they avoid any last minute slip ups against Georgia in their final pool match to bag themselves the best quarter-final possible. We breakdown the Wales vs Georgia lineups, and look at who will be starring in this exciting clash on Saturday.
Wales vs Georgia lineups and news
Contents
Wales have arguably been the surprise package of the World Cup so far, going undefeated across their first three pool matches despite having come into the tournament in poor form. Georgia have been a mixed bag–disappointing against Portugal, but impressive against Fiji. Here’s how the Wales vs Georgia World Cup lineups are looking ahead of this match:
Team news: Wales
Wales have made six changes to the team that delivered their famous victory over Australia last weekend. Captain Dewi Lake is back in the team and slots in his usual hooker position, while behind him Daffyd Jenkins and Will Rowlands are the locking pair. There’s a change on the side of the scrum too, with Tommy Reffell getting the call up to openside. In the backs, Gareth Anscombe looks to continue his imperious form in lieu of the injured Dan Biggar, while Gareth Davis comes into halfback and Rio Dyer gets a start on the wing.
🏴 𝐗𝐕 𝐂𝐘𝐌𝐑𝐔 🏴
👊 The Welsh side to take on Georgia in Nantes/Naoned
💪 Pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad!#WelshRugby | #ViveLeCymru
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) October 2, 2023
Wales lineup
15 Liam Williams, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Dewi Lake (c), 1 Gareth Thomas
Bench: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Christ Tshiunza, 20 Taine Basham, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Mason Grady.
Team news: Georgia
Georgia have also made a handful of changes to their side which gave Fiji a stern test last weekend. Up front, Guram Gogichashvili and Shalva Mamukaashvili come into the starting line up at prop and hooker, while behind them Nodar Cheishvili will combine with Konstantine Mikautadze. Georgia also have their captain return with Merab Sharikadze coming into second-five, pushing Kveseladze out one and Tapladze onto the bench. At full back, Lasha Khmaladze gets his first run on of the tournament.
Georgia lineup
15 Lasha Khmaladze, 14 Akaki Tabutsadze, 13 Giorgi Kveseladze, 12 Merab Sharikadze (c), 11 Davit Niniashvili, 10 Luka Matkava, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 8 Tornike Jalagonia, 7 Beka Saginadze, 6 Mikheil Gachechiladze, 5 Konstantine Mikautadze, 4 Nodar Cheishvili, 3 Beka Gigashvili, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 1 Guram Gogichashvili
Bench: 16 Vano Karkadze, 17 Nika Abuladze, 18 Irakli Aptsiauri, 19 Vladimer Chachanidze, 20 Giorgi Tsutskiridze, 21 Gela Aprasidze, 22 Tedo Abzhandadze, 23 Demur Tapladze.
Will Dan Biggar play today?
After suffering an injury in Wales’ 40-6 thrashing of Australia last week, the Welsh first-five will not be playing in this match. Instead, he’ll be replaced by New Zealand’s Gareth Anscombe. The pivot did a brilliant job when he came on against Australia, slotting six penalties, a conversion and a dropped goal to power his side to victory. He’ll start at No 10 in the absence of Biggar.
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