Wales trio fit for World Cup quarter-final as Warren Gatland dismisses strong record against France

Wales fly-half Dan Biggar has passed all the necessary tests to start against France in Oita
AFP via Getty Images
Will Macpherson18 October 2019

Wales are back to full fitness for Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final against France in Oita, with four key backs passed fit to start in a game that they hope will not be the last of Warren Gatland’s 11-year tenure in charge.

Dan Biggar (head), Jonathan Davies (knee) and George North (ankle) all sat out the final Pool D match against Uruguay with injury, but return to start in a team containing 11 changes. It is the same XV that played in the opening wins over Georgia and Australia.

Biggar, who has left the field with head injuries in his last two matches, was a particular concern, but he has been symptom-free since the win over Fiji on October 9, and has come through an MRI scan and two consultations with an independent doctor from Australia.

One of the four players to retain his spot is 22-year-old flanker Aaron Wainwright, who edges out the more experienced Ross Moriarty to start on the blindside.

On the bench, Owen Watkin is preferred to Leigh Halfpenny in the No23 jersey, providing ample centre cover for Davies and Hadleigh Parkes, who has started every game at the tournament despite breaking a bone in his hand early on and suffering a shoulder knock more recently.

In Pictures | Wales vs Uruguay | 13/10/19

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Like Davies, his involvement at training this week has been limited.

Wales have a very strong recent record against France, with seven wins in the last eight meetings, but Gatland believes that counts for little in a knockout match.

“We’ve got a good record against France, but they’re traditionally a tournament team,” Gatland said.

“In World Cups, when everyone writes them off, they seem to produce performances nobody expects. We know how hard it is going to be against France.

“They have some quality individuals and they seem to thrive in the quarter-final and semi-final stages. It is going to be a tough, physical game and we’re looking forward to that challenge.

"We feel battle-hardened having come through four games. Like us, France are undefeated as well. It should be a great match.”

France received a fitness boost of their own with the news that scrum-half Antoine Dupont (back) and wing Damian Penaud (hamstring) were available to start after disrupted build-ups this week.

Despite reports of rifts in the camp before their final Pool C match against England was cancelled, Guilhem Guirado retains the captaincy and starts at hooker.

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