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Rugby World Cup 2023: The 14 changes you would make to Wales XV against Portugal

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Published in Rugby
Tuesday, 12 September 2023 22:47

BBC Sport website voters would like to see 14 changes for Saturday's second World Cup Pool C game against Portugal.

Wing Louis Rees-Zammit is the only player from the dramatic opening win against Fiji who you would start again in Nice.

Bordeaux replacements Dafydd Jenkins, Tommy Reffell, Tomos Williams and Rio Dyer are all promoted to your first XV.

But Sam Costelow is edged out by Gareth Anscombe as your outside-half to face the Portuguese.

Scarlets stand-off Costelow came on for player of the match Dan Biggar in the second half of last weekend's thrilling 32-26 victory, but while he was in 42.39% of submitted teams, Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath-bound Anscombe gets the nod with 44.61%.

Having been left out of Warren Gatland's opening matchday 23, squad co-captain Dewi Lake is your choice at hooker, in between props Nicky Smith and Henry Thomas.

You pick Lake ahead of both Sunday starter Ryan Elias and Elliot Dee, who scored Wales' fourth try from the bench.

Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza make up an all-Exeter second row, while the number eight jersey split the opinion of voters. Taine Basham (29.07%) makes your back row ahead of Taulupe Faletau (27.40%) and Aaron Wainwright (25.52%).

Wales head coach Gatland - who will reveal his team on Wednesday - is expected to rest some players after their bruising encounter with Fiji, and online selectors have taken a similar approach.

Last Sunday's captain Jac Morgan is replaced at open-side flanker with Reffell, while you pick veteran Dan Lydiate to come in at blind side for Aaron Wainwright.

With just two scrum-halves in the squad, Williams is the only replacement for Gareth Davies at number nine and you opt for Dyer instead of try scorer Josh Adams on the left wing.

Inside centre Johnny Williams was in 82.66% of submitted teams, while midfield partner Mason Grady received 77.67% backing and 77.79% voted to start Leigh Halfpenny at full-back compared to just over 11% who wanted Liam Williams to continue at 15.

You can still pick your XV but your selections will not be counted towards the result - remember to share your picks on social media using #bbcrugby.

Wales XV to take on Portugal in Nice

Pick your starting XV for Wales' second Rugby World Cup 2023 pool game

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