The Albany Gazette - Wales boost as veteran Faletau to face Fiji

The 32-year-old No.8 will win his 101st cap on Sunday, but first since the Six Nations as a calf injury ruled him out of their warm-up matches.

Jac Morgan, who will captain the side, and Aaron Wainwright join Faletau in the back row named by coach Warren Gatland on Thursday.

"It's brilliant to have him alongside me as he brings so much experience and shares it freely with us," Morgan said of his illustrious team-mate.

At 23, Morgan is the same age as the 2011 Welsh skipper Sam Warburton, who captained the side to the semi-finals, where he was sent off early on in the 9-8 loss to France.

Wales's recent form suggests a similar run deep into the tournament is unlikely but Morgan insisted "there is a lot of confidence in the team."

"We know that if we get things right at the weekend we can go far," he said. "For the moment we are taking things in our stride."

Gatland says his players have been told to keep the talented Fijians in their 22, and above all to remain disciplined less their free-flowing opponents wreak havoc in broken play.

The New Zealander, who turns 60 in just over a week's time, has never lost to a tier two side.

"Probably a bit of luck," he said chuckling.

"Look this is a quality Fiji side. All I can say is we have prepared incredibly well and nailed it down.

"We have spelled it out to the players clearly about an exit strategy and the important thing to achieve in the breakdown. They are focussed.

"I spoke to the coaches as well and told them not to talk too much, it is about letting players take responsibility."

- 'Get some momentum' -

Morgan's co-captain Dewi Lake does not feature in the matchday 23. Lake suffered a knee injury during Wales's warm-up defeat to England at Twickenham last month.

The 24-year-old hooker declared himself fit earlier in the week but Gatland said the game came too quick to risk him.

"The medical team has done a fantastic job getting Dewi back to full fitness," said Gatland.

"He has not had as much training under his belt as the other hookers since he picked up that knock to his knee, so Ryan Elias and Elliot Dee are selected for us for this game."

Wales famously lost to Fiji in the 2007 World Cup in France to exit at the pool stage, a result that ushered in Gatland for his first spell in charge.

The New Zealander sensationally returned to the job late last year, replacing the sacked Wayne Pivac, but results have been mixed.

Fiji will come in on the back of a historic win over England and with Australia and Georgia also in their pool, a loss for either side on Sunday would leave them with a mountain to climb to reach the quarter-finals.

"It is important to win and get some momentum, which will propel us into the quarter-finals," said Gatland.

Team (15-1):

Liam Williams; Louis Rees Zammit, George North, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Taulupe Faletau; Jac Morgan (capt), Aaron Wainwright; Adam Beard, Will Rowlands; Tomas Francis, Ryan Elias, Gareth Thomas

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Corey Domachowski, Dillon Lewis, Dafydd Jenkins, Tommy Reffell, Tomos Williams, Sam Costelow, Rio Dyer

Coach: Warren Gatland (NZL)

(U.Gruber--BBZ)