Davies, Biggar named for Wales
Centre Jonathan Davies and fly-half Dan Biggar have been named in the Wales starting line-up for Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France.
Davies has recovered from a knee injury suffered against Fiji nine days ago, while fly-half Biggar has successfully followed return to play protocols following a head injury.
Wing George North has shaken off an ankle knock to also start, with Wales head coach Warren Gatland naming the same team that accounted for Pool D rivals Australia last month.
Wales are targeting a World Cup semi-final appearance for a second time in the last three tournaments.
Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric and Josh Navidi form the back-row unit, with Ross Moriarty on the bench, where Adam Beard provides lock cover instead of Aaron Shingler.
Wales have beaten Six Nations rivals France seven times in their past eight meetings.
FIRST LOOK 🔴 Wales' team to face France in the #RWC2019 quarter-final on Sunday in #RWCOita Enwir yr un XV a dechreuodd yn y fuddugoliaeth yn erbyn Awstralia yn Tokyo. #HWFNpic.twitter.com/iIbIqjJuwi
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) October 18, 2019
Saracens prop Rhys Carre also features among the replacements, being preferred to Ospreys loosehead Nicky Smith.
Gatland’s consistency of selection is underlined by it being the same team selected for Wales’ opening two World Cup group games.
WALES: L Williams (Saracens); G North (Ospreys), J Davies (Scarlets), H Parkes (Scarlets), J Adams (Cardiff Blues); D Biggar (Northampton), G Davies (Scarlets); W Jones (Scarlets), K Owens (Scarlets), T Francis (Exeter), J Ball (Scarlets), A W Jones (Ospreys, capt), A Wainwright (Dragons), J Tipuric (Ospreys),J Navidi (Cardiff Blues).
Replacements: E Dee (Dragons), R Carre (Saracens), D Lewis (Cardiff Blues), A Beard (Ospreys), R Moriarty (Dragons), T Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Patchell (Scarlets), O Watkin (Ospreys).
