Warren Gatland names full strength side for opening game

Warren Gatland has gone for a fully loaded side ahead of Monday's opener. Credit: PA Images

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has chosen a starting line-up packed with star names as the Six Nations champions target a flying start.

Flanker Aaron Wainwright will make his World Cup debut in Wales' tournament opener against Georgia on Monday.

The 21-year-old features in Wales' starting back-row alongside Justin Tipuric and Josh Navidi, with Ross Moriarty among the replacements.

Skipper Alun Wyn Jones will equal Gethin Jenkins' Wales cap record of 129 appearances when he leads the team out in Toyota City.

Jones is joined by fellow British and Irish Lions Test players in Tipuric, full-back Liam Williams, wing George North, centre Jonathan Davies and hooker Ken Owens.

There is also a chance on the bench for fly-half Rhys Patchell, who has recovered from the concussion he suffered during Wales' final World Cup warm-up game against Ireland in Dublin two weeks ago.

Elsewhere, there is a start for Scarlets prop Wyn Jones, and Jake Ball is Alun Wyn Jones' second-row partner with Aaron Shingler providing lock cover among the replacements.

After Georgia, Wales have a six-day turnaround before their Tokyo appointment with Australia that could decide which team wins Pool D.

And Monday's meeting will be Wales' first with Georgia since they posted an unconvincing 13-6 victory over them in Cardiff during the 2017 autumn Tests.

Wales team to play Georgia in Rugby World Cup Pool D on Monday

  • L Williams (Saracens)

  • G North (Ospreys)

  • J Davies (Scarlets)

  • H Parkes (Scarlets)

  • J Adams (Cardiff Blues)

  • D Biggar (Northampton)

  • G Davies (Scarlets)

  • W Jones (Scarlets)

  • K Owens (Scarlets)

  • T Francis (Exeter)

  • J Ball (Scarlets)

  • A W Jones (Ospreys, capt)

  • A Wainwright (Dragons)

  • J Tipuric (Ospreys)

  • J Navidi (Cardiff Blues)

  • Replacements: E Dee (Dragons), N Smith (Ospreys), D Lewis (Cardiff Blues), A Shingler (Scarlets), R Moriarty (Dragons), T Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Patchell (Scarlets), L Halfpenny (Scarlets).