Wales coach Warren Gatland has made five changes to the team that beat Fiji 66-0 with Rhys Priestland keeping Stephen Jones out of the squad entirely and James Hook on the bench.
Leigh Halfpenny replaces Lee Byrne at fullback, Jonathan Davies takes over from Scott Williams at outside center and Shane Williams returns from injury to reclaim his place on the left wing.
Flanker Dan Lydiate has also overcome an injury to take over on the blindside from Ryan Jones, who moves to the bench, while Alun Wyn Davies rejoins Luke Charteris in the second row, pushing Bradley Davies into the reserves.
Hook, Williams and Lydiate were all injured during the bruising pool match against Samoa but returned to full training with the Welsh team on Wednesday. Fullback Hook had a shoulder injury, Lydiate an ankle ligament strain and Williams a thigh strain.
The return of those players left coach Gatland in the rare position among the quarterfinalists of having a fully-fit 30-man squad available for selection.
Wales skills coach Neil Jenkins told reporters Wednesday that the health of the Welsh players was a major advantage.
“These guys coming back in gives the squad a huge boost – a huge lift – and there is fantastic competition for places in the squad,” Jenkins said. “With Ireland, we play them year in and year out and we know it is going to be a very tough game. They are a very tough side, a very physical side.”
Stephen Jones, Wales’ most-capped player with 102 appearances, has been supportive of Gatland’s policy of placing faith in young players. He said earlier this week that the youngsters favored by Gatland had added to Wales’ sense of self-confidence.
“Team morale is fantastic,” Jones said. “The younger players have a high rugby ability, and they’ve gone out there and enjoyed throwing the ball around. They have been top drawer.
“They are fearless. They back themselves, and the fact so many good youngsters have come through, put their hand up and raised the bar has really had a good knock-on effect throughout the whole squad.
“It is certainly the most competitive squad I have been a part of. It is a nice situation for the coaches to be in.”
Wales:
15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (C), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Lloyd Burns, 17 Paul James, 18 Bradley Davies, 19 Ryan Jones, 20 Lloyd Williams, 21 James Hook, 22 Scott Williams.
Wales to win….
1 @ Blue Bird:
You think?
I just do not know who to pick for this one!
What is the general feeling in the UK, who do the pundits say will win this one?
@ grootblousmile:
Wish I knew the general feeling in the UK.
Went to a meeting the other day and the women were more up on the RWC than the blokes, who could only talk football!
I will go for Wales anyway.
Whats new with you?
I think Ireland will win this one. Ag, really not sure, but if a team can put out Oz they deserve to be taken serious.
Cause Gert is there forward coach and our Irish friend here. Irish Devil. Will support Ireland to beat Wales. Sorry BB. But you not Welsh so it is fine…..hehehe.
GO IRELAND.
@ Puma:4 – meant – their
Think Ireland will prove too strong for Wales.
6 @ The_Young_Turk:
You also thought Italy had a chance this past Sunday…. hehehe
@ grootblousmile:
That was a tiny chance based more on a hope and a wish and also supporting your team. As far as Ireland vs Wales, I don’t have a dog in this fight. Just based purely on observing the quality of the teams in the 6 nations over the last 10 years.
Doesn’t mean to say that Wales have no chance. In fact i would rate Ireland-Wales 59%-41%.
@ The_Young_Turk:9 – Think it will be a cracker. Who has the biggest bmt will win. I think that team will be Ireland. Gert been there done it. He will have them ready.
Wales are my surprise team to make it to the final.
Not really sure who will win this one, head says probably Ireland with their greater experience will just nick this as its a knockout game. Never thought would be saying this but hope Wales manage to surpise and win. While obviously not in the same class some of their play has reminded me of All Blacks, really slick handling and strong running in the backline and using the space out there well too, no coincidence they have a Kiwi coach.
One Welsh player who I wasn’t so sure about at the start of the tournament was Priestland and thought that flyhalf may be one of their weaknesses, but now I think he has been very impressive and taken his chances with Jones and Hook not playing much, he looks like a good allround flyhalf. Don’t know why but of all the players have a feeling Wales chances will be ultimately determined by how well Phillips plays, if he has a good one and gets quality ball out to his backline and also keeps Irish guessing with strong bursts around the scrum and some big defence they may just make it.
IRELAND: The Irish have brought life to this tournament. Their victories over the Wallabies and Italy, which revolved around aggression and adrenalin, give them the chance to go all the way. They boast a terrific openside in Sean O’Brien, Tommy Bowe is causing havoc out wide and captain Brian O’Driscoll remains a quality midfielder. They have advanced because of old-fashioned Irish passion. Long may it continue.
WALES: Oh no. Some are saying that the current Welsh line-up could match their legendary sides of the 1970s. That’s a bit over the top, but they are certainly looking a title threat. Few would have predicted it before the tournament, but Wales have produced some of the best football, an energetic, well-organised brand of rugby played at top pace. They chalked up one of their most comprehensive victories in the final pool match against Fiji, winning 66-0, while they could have easily defeated the Springboks, with a shot at goal which looked good but was waved away being crucial. There are even some in the Wallabies camp delighted that they are meeting the Springboks rather than Wales in the quarter-finals. Wales, who in Warren Gatland have one of the smartest coaches going around, are certainly the big smokies of this year’s World Cup.
Tip: Wales by 3.
This is Greg Growdens view
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