Seven Scarlets named for quarter-final showdown

Rob Lloyd News

Jonathan Davies has recovered from injury to take his place as one of seven Scarlets in Wales’ match-day squad to face France in Sunday’s Rugby Word Cup quarter-final in Oita.

Davies hurt his knee in the pool win over Fiji, but has been cleared to play against Les Bleus in a side showing just two changes from that game and the same one that started against Australia.

The British & Irish Lion again links up with Hadleigh Parkes in midfield, while Gareth Davies will be looking to continue his outstanding tournament at nine.

Wyn Jones, Ken Owens and Jake Ball are the Scarlets representatives in the pack with Rhys Patchell on the bench.

The two changes made by head coach Warren Gatland from the Fiji encounter come in the back row with Aaron Wainwright and Justin Tipuric returning to the starting XV in place of Ross Moriarty and James Davies.

Aaron Shingler makes way for Adam Beard among the replacements.

Sunday’s match will see captain Alun Wyn Jones move third on the all-time international appearance list, level with Brian O’Driscoll on 141 Tests (132 for Wales plus nine British & Irish Lions appearances).

WALES (v FRANCE): 15 Liam Williams (Saracens); 14 George North (Ospreys), 13 Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), 12 Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), 11 Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues); 10 Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints), 9 Gareth Davies (Scarlets); 1 Wyn Jones (Scarlets), 2 Ken Owens (Scarlets), 3 Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), 4 Jake Ball (Scarlets), 5 Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, capt), 6 Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), 7 Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), 8 Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues).

Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee (Dragons), 17 Rhys Carre (Cardiff Blues), 18 Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), 19 Adam Beard (Ospreys), 20 Ross Moriarty (Dragons), 21 Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues),22 Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), 23 Owen Watkin (Ospreys).