Wales vs France team news: Warren Gatland names strongest line-up possible for Rugby World Cup quarter-final

Starting XV is identical to the one that beat Australia in the pool stage with both Jonathan Davies and George North passed fit

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Warren Gatland has named the same Wales starting line-up that beat Australia for their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France on Sunday.

Wales will attempt to reach their second World Cup semi-final in the space of three tournaments when they come up against their Six Nations rivals, with both Jonathan Davies and George North passed fit for the match after sitting out the most recent victory against Uruguay last Sunday.

Alun Wyn Jones will captain the side, and in the process become the joint-third most capped Test player of all time, tying Brian O’Driscoll on 141 appearances with only Richie McCaw and Sergio Parisse ahead of the lock.

Gatland makes 12 changes in total to the side, with only Aaron Wainwright, Hadleigh Parkes and World Cup top try-scorer Josh Adams retained from the 35-13 victory last weekend, while 10 of the side featured in the Six Nations victory over the French earlier in the year.

Despite an impressive kicking display against the Uruguayans, there is no place in the matchday squad for Leigh Halfpenny, with Owen Watkin once again named as backs cover among the replacements.

Sunday’s quarter-final at Oita will be only the second time that Wales and France have met at the World Cup, with Les Bleus edging their previous semi-final encounter in 2011 9-8 in a match made famous by the red card handed to Welsh skipper Sam Warburton.

However, Gatland’s side go into the game this weekend as favourites, having won all of their pool matches, though France will also arrive with a 100 per cent record after winning three games on the trot as their Pool C showdown against England was cancelled due to Typhoon Hagibis.

Wales team to face France

Liam Williams; George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tom Francis; Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones; Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhys Carre, Dillon Lewis, Adam Beard, Ross Moriarty, Tomos Williams, Rhys Patchell, Owen Watkin.

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Wales vs France team news: Warren Gatland names strongest line-up possible for Rugby World Cup quarter-final

Starting XV is identical to the one that beat Australia in the pool stage with both Jonathan Davies and George North passed fit

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Wales team to face France

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