Dewi Lake to captain Wales against Portugal
Warren Gatland has made 13 changes for Wales for the game against Portugal
©PA
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has made 13 changes to the starting line up for the second game of the Rugby World Cup against Portugal.
Gatland has retained only Taulupe Faletau and Louis Rees-Zammit from the starting line up from the side that defeated Fiji in the tournament opener.
Dewi Lake has regained his full fitness and will captain the side and will be part of the front row that also has Dillon Lewis and Nicky Smith. Exeter locks Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza will be part of the second row while Faletau is joined by Tommy Reffell and Dan Lydiate in the back row.
Gareth Anscombe has been given a chance at fly-half with his half back partner Tomos Williams set to win his 50th cap. Centres Mason Grady and Johnny Williams will be making their first World Cup appearances with Rio Dyer and Leigh Halfpenny starting at left wing and fullback respectively.
Ryan Elias, Corey Domachowski, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, and Taine Basham are named the forwards replacements with Gareth Davies, Sam Costelow, and Josh Adams joining them to complete the remainder of the matchday squad.
"We've made a few changes this week given the six-day turnaround," said Gatland.
"This is an opportunity now for this match-day 23. I've said before, but there's some great competition within the squad which is what we want to see.
"There's a chance now for this group to go out Saturday and to put down their own marker in the tournament."
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Louis Rees Zammit, 13 Mason Grady, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 4 Christ Tshiunza, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Dewi Lake(c), 1 Nicky Smith
Reserves: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Taine Basham, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Josh Adams
