Wales co-captain Dewi Lake misses out on 23-man squad for Australia showdown – as Warren Gatland keeps faith with the XV that beat Fiji in Rugby World Cup opener
Wales co-captain and hooker Dewi Lake missed out on a place in Wales’ Matchday 23 Rugby World Cup match against Australia on Sunday.
Head coach Warren Gatland has named the same team that defeated Fiji 12 days ago, with Ryan Elias starting at hooker in a side led by flanker Jac Morgan.
Elliot Dee provides cover for Elias on the bench, while lock Adam Beard will win his 50th cap as Wales target a victory that would set up an impressive fourth successive World Cup quarter-final appearance.
There is also a spot open among the replacements for former England pro Henry Thomas, who is on course to make his World Cup debut in Wales.
Morgan, wing Louis Rees-Zammit and number eight Taulupe Faletau are the only three named players to have featured in all of Wales’ Pool C matches to date.
Wales co-captain and hooker Dewi Lake has missed out on a place in Wales’ Matchday 23 Rugby World Cup match against Australia
Head coach Warren Gatland has named the same Wales team that defeated Fiji 12 days ago
Flanker Tommy Reffell, who withdrew late due to a tight calf muscle before Wales faced Portugal last weekend, will also miss the match, with Taine Basham providing bench cover in the back row.