Rugby
Reuters 5y

Liam Williams to start at full-back for Wales against South Africa

Rugby

Liam Williams has been chosen at full-back as Wales coach Warren Gatland restored Gareth Anscombe to the fly-half berth for their final November international against South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday.

The Welsh are seeking a first-ever clean sweep of victories in the November internationals with the enforced inclusion of Williams the only change from the side that beat Australia 9-6 a fortnight ago, ending a 13-game losing streak against the Wallabies.

Williams is in for Leigh Halfpenny, who was concussed in that encounter after a heavy tackle from Samu Kerevi and has not recovered in time.

Wales crushed Tonga 74-24 with a much-changed side last weekend, but Gatland has returned to what he feels, Halfpenny aside, is his best starting line-up at present for the visit of the Springboks.

Anscombe has been preferred to Dan Biggar, who takes his place on the bench, while George North also returns on the wing after missing the Tonga tussle with a concussion.

Captain Alun Wyn Jones will be partnered by lock Adam Beard in the second row, while the front of the scrum sees props Tomas Francis and Nicky Smith either side of hooker Ken Owens.

"We have rewarded the team that faced Australia with another start this weekend," Gatland said.

"There were a lot of tough selection calls, but that is what we want. The team that played last week [against Tonga] was hugely impressive and there are some disappointed boys who miss out."

The bench is also the same as for the Australia Test, bar the inclusion of centre Owen Watkin with the elevation of Williams into the starting line-up.

"We are really pleased with how the bench has gone in the first three games so we will be looking for that impact again on Saturday," Gatland said.

"We want to end the campaign with a big performance against a very good South African side."

Aside from wins over Australia and Tonga, Wales also defeated Scotland 21-10 in their opening November fixture and are on an eight-game winning run. Their only defeats in 11 Tests this year came away against Ireland and England in the Six Nations.

Wales team to play South Africa:

15. Liam Williams, 14. George North, 13. Jonathan Davies, 12. Hadleigh Parks 11. Josh Adams 10. Gareth Anscombe 9. Gareth Davies; 1. Nicky Smith, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Adam Beard, 5. Alun Wyn Jones 6. Dan Lydiate 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Ross Moriarty

Replacements: 16. Elliot Dee, 17. Rob Evans, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Cory Hill, 20. Ellis Jenkins, 21. Tomos Williams, 22. Dan Biggar, 23. Owen Watkin

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