Ryan Elias and Gareth Davies return to Wales side for World Cup quarter-final

Rob LloydNews

Ryan Elias and Gareth Davies return to the Wales team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina in Marseille (4pm UK time, live on ITV and S4C).

Both Scarlets players have had impressive tournaments and starred in the win over Australia that set up Wales to top their pool and progress to the knockout stages.

Following the 43-19 win against Georgia last weekend, Wales have been preparing for the quarter-final from their new team base in Toulon.

Aaron Wainwright switches to No. 8 in place of the injured Taulupe Faletau, while Liam Williams and Dan Biggar have come through fitness scares to take their place in the starting line-up.

Sam Costelow, Wales’ starting 10 against Georgia, is named among the replacements.

Head coach Warren Gatland said: “We had a goal of making the quarter-finals which we have achieved. Now it’s about building on that momentum. 

“It’s exciting to enter into the knock-out stages of the tournament and we are ready for the challenge of a quarter-final. All our preparation has been geared to getting to this spot and we’re very much relishing the opportunity.

“We’re expecting another tough encounter this weekend against a physical Argentina side. We haven’t had the perfect performance yet, but we have shown that we are a hard team to beat. 

“There is a lot more growth in this squad – collectively and individually – and we can’t wait to get out there in Marseille on Saturday.”

Wales senior men’s XV for the Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-final against Argentina at Stade de Marseille. Saturday 14 October, KO 4pm BST / 5pm CET. Live on ITV and S4C.
15. Liam Williams (Kubota Spears – 88 caps); 14. Louis Rees Zammit (Gloucester Rugby / Caerloyw – 31 caps), 13. George North (Ospreys / Gweilch – 117 caps), 12. Nick Tompkins (Saracens / Saraseniaid – 31 caps), 11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby  / Caerdydd – 53 caps); 10. Dan Biggar (Toulon – 111 caps), 9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets – 73 caps); 1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys / Gweilch – 25 caps), 2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 37 caps), 3. Tomas Francis (Provence Rugby – 76 caps), 4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 28 caps), 5. Adam Beard (Ospreys / Gweilch – 50 caps), 6. Jac Morgan (Ospreys / Gweilch – 14 caps) captain / capten*, 7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 12 caps), 8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons / Dreigiau – 42 caps)

Replacements / Eilyddion: 16. Dewi Lake (Ospreys / Gweilch – 11 caps), 17. Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Rugby/ Caerdydd – 5 caps), 18. Dillon Lewis (Harlequins – 53 caps), 19. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 11 caps), 20. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 9 caps), 21. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby/ Caerdydd – 52 caps), 22. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 7 caps), 23. Rio Dyer (Dragons / Dreigiau – 13 caps).