Francis starts against the Aussies

By Mark Stevens
27/9/19

Wales have named an unchanged starting XV to face Australia in their second Rugby World Cup Pool D encounter in Tokyo on Sunday.

That means Exeter Chiefs tight-head Tomas Francis starts again for Warren Gatland's side, which includes captain Alun Wyn Jones who will make history in Japan this weekend as he becomes Wales’ all-time leading appearance record holder when he makes his 130th appearance for his country.

Sunday will be Jones’ 119th start for Wales since he made his debut in 2006. In total, with nine additional British & Irish Lions test appearances he moves onto 139 test appearances, joint fourth on the all-time test appearance list, level with former Australia captain George Gregan.

Jones will feature in the same pack that recorded an opening bonus point victory over Georgia on Monday evening. The one change in Wales’ match-day squad comes on the bench where Owen Watkin comes into the 23 jersey.

In what many are predicting will be the Pool D decider, it's understood that players not in the starting side have been bringing a real edge to training, motivated by the disappointment.

And captain Jones revealed that blood has been spilled.

“I think there are a few guys who have been frustrated with selection but that’s a good thing because it breeds competitiveness in the squad,” he said. “There was a bit of red stuff flowing yesterday but it was all well meant because it was for the betterment of the team.

“We’re going to continue that with a slight taper ready for our team run ahead of Sunday.”

WALES TEAM TO PLAY AUSTRALIA

1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets, 16 Caps)
2. Ken Owen (Scarlets, 68 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs, 44 Caps)
4. Jake Ball (Scarlets, 37 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, capt, 129 Caps)
6. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons, 13 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, 67 Caps)
8. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues, 20 Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets, 45 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, 74 Caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues, 15 Caps)
12. Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets, 19 Caps)
13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets, 77 Caps)
14. George North (Ospreys, 87 Caps)
15. Liam Williams (Saracens, 59 Caps)

16. Elliot Dee (Dragons, 23 Caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Ospreys, 32 Caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues, 16 Caps)
19. Aaron Shingler (Scarlets, 21 Caps)
20. Ross Moriarty (Dragons, 35 Caps)
21. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues, 10 Caps)
22. Rhys Patchell (Scarlets, 14 Caps)
23. Owen Watkin (Ospreys, 16 Caps)