By Jeorge Bird for Mailonline
Published: 1:30 p.m. EDT, September 10, 2023 | Updated: 2:23 p.m. EDT, September 10, 2023
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Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest as Wales take on Fiji in their opening game of the year Rugby World Cup .
Gatland is aware of the threat posed by Fiji
Fiji earned plenty of praise for their win over England at Twickenham last month and Wales are certainly aware of the threat they will pose tonight.
Gatland told ITV that his Wales team were in good shape before the game.
He says it is the best Fiji team he has ever played against and they are much more structured than before.
Fiji team
Fiji will be without the injured Caleb Muntz
5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
14 Selesitino Ravutaumada
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere 17 Peni Ravai 18 Mesake Doge 19 Temo Mayanavanua 20 Levani Botia 21 Simione Kuruvoli 22 Josua Tuisova 23 Sireli Maqala
The Welsh team faces Fiji
Louis Rees Zammit, Nick Tompkins, Gareth Thomas, Will Rowlands and Jac Morgan, who all start for Wales, are playing in their first World Cup
15 Liam Williams (Kubota Spears – 85 caps)
14 Louis Rees Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 27 caps)*
13 George North (Ospreys – 114 caps)
12 Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 28 caps)*
11 Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 50 caps)
10 Dan Biggar (RC Toulonnais – 109 caps)
9 Gareth Davies (Scarlets – 69 caps);
1 Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 22 caps)*
2 Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 34 caps)
3 Tomas Francis (Provence Rugby – 72 caps)
4 Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 25 internationals)*
5 Adam Beard (Ospreys – 47 capsules)
6 Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 39 caps)
7 Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 11 caps) Captain*
8 Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 100 caps)
Substitute 16 Elliot Dee (Dragons – 43 caps) 17 Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Rugby – 2 caps)* 18 Dillon Lewis (Harlequins – 51 caps) 19 Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 7 caps)* 20 Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 10 caps) * 21 Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 48 caps) 22 Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 4 caps)* 23 Rio Dyer (Dragons – 9 caps)*
*Player taking part in the first Rugby World Cup
Josh Adams believes Wales will face “probably the toughest Fiji team” ever
Josh Adams says Wales will face possibly the toughest Fiji team they have ever faced.
A defeat against Wales would not be a surprise
Mike Brown says it would be no surprise if this inexperienced Welsh side ended up losing to Fiji
Wales fans gather
The Welsh fans are definitely looking forward to the game at the Stade de Bordeaux.
Welcome
Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of Wales v Fiji as Warren Gatland’s side begin their tournament in impressive fashion.
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