Warren Gatland makes 13 changes as fit-again star captains Wales against Portugal

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has made wholesale changes to his starting line-up for their second Rugby World Cup Pool C match against Portugal.

Gatland has made 13 alterations in total to his starting XV, with one backline player and one forward retaining the roles they featured in during the 32-26 victory over Fiji.

“We’ve made a few changes this week given the six-day turnaround,” Gatland said.

“This is an opportunity now for this match day 23. I’ve said before, but there’s some great competition within the squad, which is what we want to see. There’s a chance now for this group to go out Saturday and to put down their own marker in the tournament.”

Wales team versus Portugal

Dewi Lake is back to full fitness after his injury pre-tournament and returns in the starting XV to skipper the side.

Lake is joined in the starting front-row by loosehead prop Nicky Smith and tighthead Dillon Lewis.

Exeter Chiefs locks Christ Tshiunza and Dafydd Jenkins get the nod in place of starters against Fiji, Will Rowlands and Adam Beard.

The only forward to start back-to-back games for Wales is number eight Taulupe Faletau, with Tommy Reffell (openside) and Dan Lydiate (blindside) named on the flanks.

Scrum-half Tomos Williams replaces Gareth Davies in the starting XV as he earns his 50th Test cap for Wales, and Gareth Anscombe partners him at number 10.

Johnny Williams and Mason Grady start in the centres, replacing Nick Tompkins and George North respectively.

Finally, Louis Rees Zammit is the only backline player to retain his starting role on the right wing as Rio Dyer comes in on the left and Leigh Halfpenny is at full-back.

Ryan Elias, Corey Domachowski, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard and Taine Basham are the forward replacements, with Gareth Davies, Sam Costelow, and Josh Adams covering the backs.

The team

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Mason Grady, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 4 Christ Tshiunza, 3 Dillon Lewis (c), 2 Dewi Lake, 1 Nicky Smith
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Taine Basham, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Josh Adams

Date: Saturday, 16 September
Venue: Stade de Nice, Nice
Kick-off: 16:45 local (15:45 BST, 14:45 GMT)
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce (England), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

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