Wales’ head coach Warren Gatland has announced his squad early for their clash against England, which will serve as a World Cup audition. Following their victory over England in Cardiff, Gatland’s team will now face them at Twickenham as part of their World Cup preparations. While England has already named their 33-man World Cup squad, Gatland still has some time before revealing his final squad for the tournament in France. As a result, this weekend’s match will offer another opportunity for players to showcase their skills and stake a claim for a spot in the World Cup squad.
Last weekend saw the introduction of some new faces, and more debutants are expected in the upcoming match. Scarlets center Joe Roberts is likely to make his first start at outside center, partnering with Nick Tompkins in midfield. Additionally, Scarlets loose-head Kemsley Mathias and Ospreys center Keiran Williams are in line to be named on the bench and may also make their debuts. With Gareth Anscombe unable to compete due to injury, fly-half Owen Williams will have a chance to prove himself in the match.
Gatland has hinted at giving Dan Lydiate an opportunity to play, and it is expected that the Dragons back-row will join Tommy Reffell and Taine Plumtree in the starting lineup. Another player who may get his first start is Scarlets wing Tom Rogers, along with Ospreys lock Rhys Davies. In addition to trying out new players, Gatland will be testing another candidate for the captaincy. Potential options for captain include Ospreys duo Dewi Lake and Adam Beard.
Neil Jenkins, Wales’ kicking coach, has expressed his belief that young Scarlets outside-half Sam Costelow has a bright future ahead and will become an essential player for Wales in the coming seasons. Costelow displayed a strong performance in Wales’ recent victory over England, and Jenkins commended his talent and decision-making abilities under pressure. Based on his performances so far, Jenkins is confident that Costelow will continue to grow and make significant contributions to the Welsh team.
In other news, Billy Vunipola has revealed that he apologized to England head coach Steve Borthwick for his attitude during the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Vunipola, who was left out of the Six Nations squad, admitted that he said some things to Borthwick in Treviso that were out of line. The Saracens No. 8 explained that he felt compelled to apologize and acknowledged that his actions were disrespectful. However, Vunipola believes that he and Borthwick have moved forward from the incident.
Fiji, one of Wales’ pool opponents in the upcoming World Cup, has announced its 33-man squad for the tournament in France. Waisea Nayacalevu will captain the team in Group C, and former Dragons prop Mesake Doge has also made the squad. With no player having more than 50 caps, the team consists mostly of players with fewer than 10 appearances. Fiji has had a successful World Cup warm-up schedule, defeating Tonga, Samoa, and Japan. Wales is set to face Fiji in their tournament opener in Bordeaux on September 10.
The anticipation for Wales’ clash against England is building, as Gatland’s squad announcement signals another opportunity for players to prove themselves ahead of the World Cup. With young talents like Costelow emerging and Vunipola striving to mend relationships, the rugby landscape continues to evolve as teams prepare for the highly anticipated tournament in France.
