Wales boosted by Jonathan Davies’ return
Wales have made minimal changes to their starting line-up for the Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa in Yokohama on Sunday, with Jonathan Davies returning.
Davies is back from injury and lines up in the midfield alongside Hadleigh Parkes with Owen Watkin, who started at outside centre in the quarter-final win over France, dropping down to the replacements bench.
Meanwhile, the match will be a momentous occasion for scrum-half Gareth Davies, who is earning his 50th cap. Davies, who made his debut against South Africa in 2014, will continue his partnership with Dan Biggar at half-back for the game in Yokohama.
In another change to the back-line, Leigh Halfpenny comes into the starting line-up at full-back in place of injured Liam Williams to earn his 85th cap. Halfpenny will link up with Josh Adams and George North in the back-three.
FIRST LOOK 🔴 Wales' team for the #RWC2019 semi-final against South Africa at #RWCYokohama Mi fydd @Gar_Davies9 yn ennill ei 50fed cap yn erbyn y Boks. #HWFN pic.twitter.com/HxPiWTbOZs
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) October 25, 2019
Wyn Jones, Ken Owens and Tomas Francis once again comprise the front-row, the fifth time they have started together in this tournament.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones, who packs down alongside Jake Ball in the second-row, will move to joint-second on the all-time international appearance list on Sunday, level with Sergio Parisse on 142 Tests (133 for Wales plus 9 British & Irish Lions appearances).
Aaron Wainwright, who has featured in every game for Wales at Japan 2019 lines up at six alongside Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty in the back-row.
On the bench Elliot Dee, Rhys Carre and Dillon Lewis provide the front-row cover with Adam Beard and Aaron Shingler completing the forward contingent. Tomos Williams, Rhys Patchell and Watkin provide the back-line cover.
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 4 Jake Ball, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Wyn Jones
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Aaron Shingler, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Owen Watkin
Date: Sunday, October 27
Venue: International Stadium, Yokohama
Kick-off: 18:00 local (09:00 GMT)
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
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