Rugby World Cup 2023: The Wales team you would pick for opening game against Fiji
- Published
Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake are Wales' co-captains for the 2023 Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup 2023: Fiji v Wales |
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Venue: Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Date: Sunday, 10 Sept Kick-off: 20:00 BST |
Coverage: Live BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds, BBC Sport website & app; live text commentary on BBC Sport website & app. |
BBC Sport website voters have a clear view of the Wales team they want to see for the opening World Cup game, with only one narrow call in your side to face Fiji on Sunday.
Aaron Wainwright is your choice at blind-side flanker, narrowly edging out Dan Lydiate.
Louis Rees-Zammit was the most popular selection, the Gloucester wing named in over 94% of submitted teams.
And overwhelmingly you want to see Dan Biggar start at fly-half in Bordeaux.
Biggar received 82.88% of the vote, with only 9.61% of those who voted choosing Gareth Anscombe at 10 while the remaining 7.51% opted for Sam Costelow.
Dragons flanker Wainwright polled 27.72% as your number six, less than 2% more than veteran Lydiate (25.97%) and would line up in your back row with open-side Jac Morgan (67.09%).
Despite his injury problems and lack of warm-up game time, 69.11% of you would place your trust in Taulupe Faletau at number eight.
Lock Will Rowlands was in more than 80% of teams submitted, with Adam Beard (63.58%) the clear choice as his partner in the second row.
In the front row, hooker Dewi Lake (72.81%) and tight-head prop Tomas Francis (62.98%) were clear-cut choices, with Gareth Thomas (53.41%) your preference for the number one jersey ahead of Nicky Smith (28.85%).
Wales coach Warren Gatland has only two specialist number nines in his 33-strong squad - and just over half of you would start Tomos Williams (56.34%) at scrum-half rather than Gareth Davies (43.66%).
George North (82.49%) was the overwhelming choice at outside centre, while three players enjoyed backing as his midfield partner.
Cardiff youngster Mason Grady polled 19.81% and Nick Tompkins 36.49%, but your choice for the number 12 jersey is Johnny Williams (43.70%).
Josh Adams - top try scorer in the 2019 World Cup - is your left wing selection, backed by 79.50% of voters, with Liam Williams named at full-back in 77.46% of teams submitted, well ahead of Leigh Halfpenny (19.15%), Rees-Zammit and Anscombe.
Gatland will reveal his selection at 14:00 BST on Thursday.
You can still pick your XV but your selections will not be counted towards the result - remember to share your picks on social media using #bbcrugby.
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