Wales has announced its selection for the 2023 World Cup, the Leek XV has notably retained the opening half Gareth Anscombe, and the number eight Taulupe Faletau in its group of 33 players for the Rugby World Cup, but it There is no room for winger Alex Cuthbert in the selection presented on Monday by coach Warren Gatland.
George North will be at his fourth World Cup, an experienced player in an otherwise very young selection Scrum-half Gareth Davies, prop Tomas Francis, flanker Dan Lydiate and fullbacks Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams will all be at their third World Cup. Anscombe and Faletau did not feature in any of Wales’ warm-up matches due to injuries but were deemed too important to be left at home.
Anscombe is one of the three pillars of the team, along with Dan Biggar and Sam Costelow. Cuthbert was due to play against South Africa on Saturday but had to withdraw due to injury. Instead, Josh Adams, Rio Dyer and Louis Rees-Zammit are the wingers selected for the tournament in France. Gatland opted for a 19-14 split between forwards and backs, having reduced their initial group from 48 to 33.
“The hardest part of the job is always the selection and that’s especially the case when it comes to choosing a group for the Rugby World Cup,” said Gatland. “Over the past three months, all 48 players in the extended training squad have been outstanding in terms of efficiency and performance.”Wales kick off their World Cup campaign against Fiji in Bordeaux on September 10. Portugal, Australia and Georgia are also in his group.
Avants: Taine Basham, Adam Beard, Elliot Dee, Corey Domachowski, Ryan Elias, Taulupe Faletau, Tomos Francis, Dafydd Jenkins, Dewi Lake (co-capitaine), Dillon Lewis, Dan Lydiate, Jac Morgan (co-capitaine), Tommy Reffell , Will Rowlands, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Henry Thomas, Chris Tshiunza, Aaron Wainwright.
Arrières : Josh Adams, Gareth Anscombe, Dan Biggar, Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies, Rio Dyer, Mason Grady, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Louis Rees-Zammit, Nick Tomkins, Johnny Williams, Liam Williams, Tomas Williams.
