Faletau to start for Wales against Fiji in World Cup opener

Wales No 8 Taulupe Faletau has been passed fit to play as coach Warren Gatland named an experienced side to face Fiji in their Rugby World Cup Pool C opener in Bordeaux on Sunday.

Faletau, who did not feature in any warm-up fixtures, forms the back row with captain Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright.

Will Rowlands and Adam Beard are the lock pairing and props Gareth Thomas and Tomas Francis make up the front row with hooker Ryan Elias, who has also overcome injury to play.

Dan Biggar leads the backline from flyhalf with Gareth Davies at No 9, Nick Tompkins and George North the centre pairing and Josh Adams and Louis Rees-Zammit on the wing. Liam Williams is at fullback.

Wales team:

1 Gareth Thomas

2 Ryan Elias

3 Tomas Francis

4 Will Rowlands

6 Aaron Wainwright

7 Jac Morgan (c)

8 Taulupe Faletau

9 Gareth Davies

10 Dan Biggar

11 Josh Adams

12 Nick Tompkins

13 George North

14 Louis Rees-Zammit

15 Liam Williams

Replacements:

16 Elliot Dee

17 Corey Domachowski

18 Dillon Lewis

19 Dafydd Jenkins

20 Tommy Reffell

21 Tomos Williams

22 Sam Costelow

23 Rio Dyer