Wales Take Precautionary Measures: Evans Steps In, Biggar Withdraws
Wales have made some precautionary changes ahead of the final 33-player announcement for the World Cup. Full-back Liam Williams has been sidelined due to a tight hamstring, which has consequently led to the promotion of Owen Evans from the bench. On another front, fly-half Dan Biggar has withdrawn from the squad due to a back niggle. The Welsh team has emphasized that these changes are simply precautionary and not cause for alarm.
For the upcoming game against the Springboks, Sam Costelow will start at fly-half, replacing Biggar. Adding to the lineup, Scarlets speedster Tom Rogers has been brought in as a replacement. While Evans, who can also play at fly-half, has trained impressively, it would be quite a surprise if he were to join the World Cup squad, considering Wales’ other available options in the back three. Nonetheless, this Test start will undoubtedly boost the confidence of the 24-year-old, who is the son of former Wales captain Ieuan, as he prepares to join the Dragons after his move from the Ospreys.
Meanwhile, Wales has experienced some issues at hooker, leading to the inclusion of Elliot Dee for training purposes. Dee, who plays for the Dragons, will start against the Springboks as a hooker, marking his first Test outing in the number 2 jersey since the summer of 2021. Sam Parry will be on the bench for support. The injuries sustained by Dewi Lake and Ryan Elias necessitated the inclusion of Rhodri Roberts to familiarize himself with the team’s calls and tactics. Roberts, 27, who has five caps to his name, made his last appearance against France in the Six Nations. Although he was initially overlooked for the World Cup training squad, Gatland called up Sam Parry after Ken Owens suffered an injury.
There is good news, however, as Lake is expected to recover in time for the World Cup opener against Fiji on September 10. Lake, who captained Wales against England at Twickenham, was forced off the field due to injury during that match.
In the upcoming game against South Africa, all of the Dragons’ World Cup hopefuls will feature. Dee, Ben Carter, Dan Lydiate, Aaron Wainwright, Rio Dyer, and Owen Evans will all be in the starting lineup, with Taine Basham on the bench as a back row replacement. It remains to be seen how this new lineup will fare against a formidable Springboks team.
As Wales’ preparations for the World Cup near their conclusion, the focus remains on fine-tuning the squad and ensuring the best possible team is selected for the upcoming tournament. The precautionary changes made in light of injuries and niggles serve as a reminder of the importance placed on player well-being and readiness. The final 33-player announcement on Monday will undoubtedly bring further excitement and anticipation as Wales prepares to challenge the world’s best teams in the highly anticipated Rugby World Cup.
